The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games is among the world's largest theatrical and artistic events. This live event inevitably contained some of high-stakes moments that ended up in failure. Let's take a look at the top 10 failures in Olympic Ceremony history!
And if you're interested in further information, please visit www.olympicceremony.org for more history about the Olympic Ceremonies. Some of these videos may require you to view them on youtube instead of this blog.
At the opening ceremony in Tokyo, the cauldron entered the stadium carried by a survivor born in Hiroshima on the day of the Atomic Bomb blast. For many in the stadium and as described by athletes in attendance, the cauldron lighting would be far more memorable not as the climatic moment we see on television, but they described it as a "perfume explosion" and "gas attack" when ceremony organizers decided to mass disperse chrysanthemum perfume to coincide with the entrance of the torch.
The Rio Opening Ceremony in 2016 was smaller in scale than the several prior games, but one oddity occurred after the athletes entered. Many abruptly left! Without volunteers to keep athletes in the middle of the stadium floor, the extremely long parade of nations left many athletes bored and tired leaving around 2,000 of originally over 10,000 to watch the end of the ceremony.
Bjork performed at the 2004 opening ceremony in Athens during the Dove of Peace segment. She was to be raised by an hydraulic lift several stories above the athletes on the field while her skirt extended over the entire field where a dove would be projected onto it. The hydraulic lift failed leaving Bjork awkwardly drowning in a mass of white curtains.
As the torch entered the stadium in the 1984 Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles, the athletes weren't surrounded by enough volunteers and they swarmed onto the track impeding the torchbearer, slowing her down to a walk as she tried to round the track.
6. St. Moritz 1948 - Sexism
The official video of the 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz included a male narator and a female commentator. The video is filled entirely with extremely sexists comments especially during the lighting of the cauldron.
On the entrance of the Norwegians:
Female: "Look, they're still wearing the old style of trousers!"
Male: "Trust a female to notice that!"
On the entrance of the Italians:
Female: comments on the "handsome boys"
Male: scolds her for the comments and concludes, "you're very embarrassing"
On the cauldron lighting:
Male: "...and the Olympic Fire blazes up!"
Female: "Well it's nothing more than a gas burner!"
Male: "That, my dear, is a symbol. But who could expect women to have an understanding of abstract things."
Near disaster hit in 2000, when the cauldron was lit in water, rose above the torch bearer and became stuck for several minutes until a worker hit a straining bar, freeing the cauldron to rise up above the stadium.
A devastating moment to begin Russia's massive ceremony, one mechanical ring failed to open, leaving the look of an asterisk. An auspicious symbol for the criticism surrounding the bribing and doping scandals which would see Russian athletes banned from future games. On Russian TV, the rings were shown to work perfectly, using video from dress rehearsals.
2. Seoul 1988 - Burning Doves
In 1988, the Olympic cauldron was placed in an unusual spot, alongside the track. Before the lighting, thousands of doves were released, and conveniently, the edge of the cauldron provided the perfect place for the birds to perch. When the cauldron was lit, the birds lit up in flames flying into the stands, falling upon the athletes below, and subsequently, live doves were banned from use after 1992.
The biggest failure in the history of the Olympic Opening Ceremony must be the cauldron lighting in 2010 in Vancouver. The cauldron was to be formed by four arms hydraulically controlled and emerging from the ground - one of the arms did not cooperate.
Opening Ceremony Records
First Opening Ceremony in South America
First Presentation of an Olympic Laurel
First Two-piece Olympic Cauldron
First Kinetic Sculpture Cauldron
VIDEO CEREMONY OVERVIEW
Rio exhibited the party culture of carnival with a serious message of becoming an eco-conscious planet. The ceremony used nearly 5,000 performers and exhibited much of the same technology that had been used in previous ceremonies, but a tiny budget especially compared to Beijing and Sochi. What Rio lacked in monetary support, it made up for in joyful spirit. The following is the ceremony overview from the official event guide:
Welcome to Brazil
Countdown: "The countdown is an Olympic celebration of gambiarra, the spirit of improvisation: the Brazilian way of making the most of almost nothing. A sheet of paper becomes a musical instrument and triggers and enormous batucada"
Brazilian National Anthem: "An artist alone on stage presents the national anthem in all its poetry. The anthem is yours, you can sing along. Athletes who gave us joy and medals at the Olympic Games encounter athletes of the new generation. They carry the Brazilian flag, great companion of their victories. The environmental police of Rio de Janeiro, guardian of the largest urban forest in the world, hoists the flag.
The Beginning of Life:
"A storm announces the forces of nature and the beginning of life on Earth. Microscopic beings appear and transform themselves. Organic lines, intertwined, tell of the birth of the immense forest. Each species is a triumph of life, a DNA that prevails in a process taking billions of years.
The Forest People: "Four million descendants of the first people who inhabited this forest were here when the Portuguese arrived, 500 years ago. Today there are 800,000 Indigenous people. As all around the globe, traditional cultures are the greatest protectors of millenary DNA. In Brazil, it is no different: Indigenous people protect 13% of our territory.
Geometrisation: "Over time, in Brazil and across the world, the process of civilization redesigned nature. Forests gave way to agriculture and pasturage, to mining, to the generation of power, to urbanization and industrialization, to what we are today. We built our identities replacing nature's complex geometry with our own.
The Old World Leaves it Mark on Pindorama: "In 1500, after a long journey across unknown waters, the Portuguese found 'the land where everything grows', the paradise to be conquered. From there, they extracted many riches. The first one was a tree, the 'pau brasil', that gave its name to the country. Thirty years later Africans disembarked, having been taken from their land to work as slaves. The great Brazilian riches that marked the colonial period, such as sugar cane, gold, silver, and diamonds were the product of black slave labor. Slavery lasted 388 years in this country, and as a result African culture has had a deep effect on Brazilian culture. From the 19th century, Brazil began to welcome large waves of migration from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. We incorporated traces of their cultures without asking their permission. The Brazilian identity is the mix of those cultural traces.
Bossa -
A Brazilian Announces Modern Brazil: Santos Dumont: "It is true that many have contributed to the invention of the aeroplane, but it was Santos Dumont who made the first flight on a plane with his 14 bis, in Paris, in front of journalists and a large audience. According to the Aero-Club de France, he was the first man in the world to take off with a machine heavier than air. Before him others flew launched by catapults or down slopes or without witnesses." *these statements are factually incorrect as documented by many scholars of the Wright Brothers ability to take off many times prior to the 14 bis. This was added as "our patriotic licence" by the committee.
Modern Brazil or When Brazil was Born to the World: "Disregarding the straight lines of urbanization, the curves of Bossa Nova cross the seas. Through architecture, music, painting and literature, Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Oscar Niemeyer, Burle Marx, and Jorge Amado, among others, created the image of a cool, sensual land with its beaches, music, colors, and curves. The mythical Girl from Ipanema "goes walking" all over the planet."
Pop: "What identifies us as Brazillians comes from popular culture. This is the force that takes over the stadium. Through music and dance, Brazilian culture is reborn every day, absorbing and recreating the influences of the global pop scene with an exuberant creativity. We celebrate this vibration without hiding our differences in a country still striving for social balance. We do not want a divided country or world, and for this reason we propose the harmony of a huge Brazilian soul party. Stadium, Brazil, the whole world: let's dance together!"
After the Party: "The party was good, but we've gone too far. We are beginning to pay the bill. After all, everything we buy contains a piece of the world we live in. Science shows us maps that are like x-rays of our illness. Oil and coal use is increasing the greenhouse effect. The planet is warming up faster than expected. The Arctic and glaciers are melting. Droughts last longer and deserts are expanding. Coastal cities are threatened by the sea level rise. A message that the world knows but pretends not to know: Re-thinking our way of life and adapting ourselves to climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity now."
A Simple Solutions/Parade of Nations
But Wait, There Is a Light At the End of the Tunnel: "Trees capture the main gas that traps heat in the atmosphere - carbon - and reduce its concentration. Replanting forests is the fastest, most efficient and cheapest way to revers global warming. And on top of that, it brings back shade and fresh water, the song of birds, the multitude of life. There are large reforestation projects taking place around the world. It's a big movement. We invite everyone to join in: where there is room fro a tree, plant a seed.
One Athlete = One Tree: "207 delegations, 207 species. Upon entering the stadium, each athlete will receive the seed of a native Brazilian tree specie to plant in a tube filled with soil. Over 10,000 seedlings will be planted in the "Athletes' Forest" at the X-Park in Deodoro: a legacy for the city of Rio de Janeiro."
Peace: "The white dove has been a symbol of peace since Ancient Greece. in the Olympic Ceremonies, the flight of doves marks the commitment to peace among peoples. We went to the children of public schools in Rio de Janeiro to ask what peace meant to them."
Speeches, Laurel, Oaths
Olympic Flag and Anthem: "Carriers of the Olympic flag unite their ideals for the promotion of a better world. Brazilians, leaders in sport and life, symbolize and inspire our commitment to the Olympic values. The Olympic anthem is performed by the More Project NGO children choir. The organization works among communities in Niteroi promoting cultural and sport activities for children. The children were invited to sing the anthem after the ceremony's music composers saw a video fo the choir, that had gone viral on the internet, produced by the children themselves."
Apotheosis: "We will give the athletes the party that they have traveled thousands of miles for! A carnival powered by the percussionists of Rio's 12 main samba schools and the colors and shapes of carioca contemporary artist Beatriz Milhazes."
The following is a list of known records as it regards the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. The learn more about every Olympic Ceremony, please visit www.olympicceremony.org.
(*) designates records that regard either unofficial Olympic Games (1906) or unofficial ceremonies (1900,1904)
THE FIRST OLYMPIC FLAME - The two towers of the stadium were fit with oil-burning beacons used previous to the 1912 games and later during the 1956 Equestrian Games. This was the first Olympic Flame in history as the extended official report (not included) details the specifics of the beacons, that they would burn during the "greatest festivals" held at the stadium, the IOC President first mentions the "Olympic Flame" in his speech at the Closing Ceremony, and the 1956 Equestrian Games Official Report confirms that these were indeed lit during the 1912 Olympics - according to the International Olympic Committee, the first Olympic Flame was lit in 1928 in Amsterdam, and the first Olympic Torch Relay was in 1936 in Berlin. - Stockholm 1912
First Opening Ceremony to be Canceled (World War I) - Berlin 1916
First Athlete's Oath Taken on Horseback - Stockholm 1956
First Presentation of the "Antwerp" Olympic Flag (the Olympic flag from the Antwerp Olympics of 1920 - actually from the 1924 Paris Olympics because the 1920 flag was stolen when an American diver climbed the pole and stole the flag only to return it in 2000 at the age of 103 - is presented to the Mayor of the host city who will keep the flag in the Town Hall until the following Olympics) - Rome 1960
First Woman to Take the Athlete's Oath - Munich 1972
OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY LOCATION RECORDS (SUMMER)
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) - London 1908
First Use of a Christian Hymn (Our God, He is a Castle Strong to the hymn tune EIN FESTE BURG) - Stockholm 1912
First Opera Written and Performed for the Opening Ceremony - Atlanta 1996
First Summer Olympic Ceremony to Not Sing the Current Olympic Hymn (instrumental version performed: this version of the Olympic Hymn was performed in 1896, 1960-present) - London 2012
First Mass Dance Display at an Opening Ceremony (the mass play of the 1936 Olympics occurred immediately following the opening ceremony, however this was part of the official program, breaking IOC ceremonial protocol) - Stockholm 1956
First Parade of Nations in Alphabetical Order - London 1908
First Parade of Nations to Use a Standard Displaying the Country Name - London 1908
First Parade of Nations Led by Greece and Concluded by the Host Nation - Amsterdam 1928
First Opening Ceremony Requiring Athletes to Not Give Olympic Salute (This was a salute with the hand held up and outstretched with palm down - identical to the Nazi salute - you will notice many old films on this site show the Olympic salute. Because of the similarity, the salute was banned.) - London 1948
First Opening Ceremony to Feature the Parade of Nations on Horseback - Stockholm 1956
First Flag-bearer to Hold their National Flag with Prostrated Arm (without carrier) - USSR - Mexico City 1968
First Parade of Nations Not Enforcing a Strict Marching Step Order (athletes could now walk casually out of step) - Montreal 1976
First Entrance of the Athletes from a Ramp Above the Stadium - Atlanta 1996
OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY CROWD AND STADIUM RECORDS (SUMMER)
Largest Stadium to Host the Opening Ceremony Record Timeline
First double-relay (the Olympic Flame was lit by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece, while the organizers planned another relay beginning in the Arctic Circle with a flame lit by the rays of the Midnight Sun) - Helsinki 1952
First to Use Two Different Torch Designs (the final torch was unique to the other torches) - Melbourne 1956
First Olympic Torch Relay to be Run on the Track at the Ancient Stadium in Olympia, Greece - Tokyo 1964
First torch relayed by swimming (amazing photos in the official report of the swimmer swimming with one arm holding the flame high out of the water) - Mexico City 1968
Most Torch Designs - 7 (previous Melbourne 1956 - 2) - Mexico City 1968
First Electronically Transmitted Olympic Flame (as described in the official report: "She then presents the Olympic Flame to the sensor, which detects the ionized particles, converting them into coded impulses that are transmitted by satellite to Ottawa, where they activate a laser beam which instantly recreates the Olympic Flame in its original shape." - while the statement that it could recreate the flame in its original shape is laughably false, this statement is hyperbole - simply, the flame touched a sensor in Athens causing a computer in Ottawa to shoot a laser) - Montreal 1976
First Protested Olympic Torch Relay (people could purchase a spot in the relay for $3,000; this move was objected by the Greek Olympic Committee; the torch lighting and relay in Europe was performed privately, secretly transported to Athens by helicopter, and then by Air-Force One to New York under heavy security to ensure the Olympic tradition continued. The previous plan was to have the flame kindled at the Olympic headquarteres in Switzerland and "electronically" transmitted, a bogus relay method, to a computer in New York - similar to the relay of Montreal 1976 - the purchase program raised $10 million for American youth and handicap organizations) - Los Angeles 1984
First Flame Brought into the Stadium from Underground - Atlanta 1996
OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY MODES OF TRANSPORTATION FIRSTS (SUMMER)
The following is a list of known records as it regards the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. The learn more about every Olympic Ceremony, please visit www.olympicceremony.org.
(*) designates records that regard either unofficial Olympic Games (1906) or unofficial ceremonies (1900,1904)
THE FIRST OLYMPIC FLAME - The two towers of the stadium were fit with oil-burning beacons used previous to the 1912 games and later during the 1956 Equestrian Games. This was the first Olympic Flame in history as the extended official report (not included) details the specifics of the beacons, that they would burn during the "greatest festivals" held at the stadium, the IOC President first mentions the "Olympic Flame" in his speech at the Closing Ceremony, and the 1956 Equestrian Games Official Report confirms that these were indeed lit during the 1912 Olympics - according to the International Olympic Committee, the first Olympic Flame was lit in 1928 in Amsterdam, and the first Olympic Torch Relay was in 1936 in Berlin. - Stockholm 1912
First Opening Ceremony to be Canceled (World War I) - Berlin 1916
First Athlete's Oath Taken on Horseback - Stockholm 1956
First Presentation of the "Antwerp" Olympic Flag (the Olympic flag from the Antwerp Olympics of 1920 - actually from the 1924 Paris Olympics because the 1920 flag was stolen when an American diver climbed the pole and stole the flag only to return it in 2000 at the age of 103 - is presented to the Mayor of the host city who will keep the flag in the Town Hall until the following Olympics) - Rome 1960
First Woman to Take the Athlete's Oath - Munich 1972
OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY LOCATION RECORDS (SUMMER)
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) - London 1908
First Use of a Christian Hymn (Our God, He is a Castle Strong to the hymn tune EIN FESTE BURG) - Stockholm 1912
First Opera Written and Performed for the Opening Ceremony - Atlanta 1996
First Summer Olympic Ceremony to Not Sing the Current Olympic Hymn (instrumental version performed: this version of the Olympic Hymn was performed in 1896, 1960-present) - London 2012
First Mass Dance Display at an Opening Ceremony (the mass play of the 1936 Olympics occurred immediately following the opening ceremony, however this was part of the official program, breaking IOC ceremonial protocol) - Stockholm 1956
First Parade of Nations in Alphabetical Order - London 1908
First Parade of Nations to Use a Standard Displaying the Country Name - London 1908
First Parade of Nations Led by Greece and Concluded by the Host Nation - Amsterdam 1928
First Opening Ceremony Requiring Athletes to Not Give Olympic Salute (This was a salute with the hand held up and outstretched with palm down - identical to the Nazi salute - you will notice many old films on this site show the Olympic salute. Because of the similarity, the salute was banned.) - London 1948
First Opening Ceremony to Feature the Parade of Nations on Horseback - Stockholm 1956
First Flag-bearer to Hold their National Flag with Prostrated Arm (without carrier) - USSR - Mexico City 1968
First Parade of Nations Not Enforcing a Strict Marching Step Order (athletes could now walk casually out of step) - Montreal 1976
First Entrance of the Athletes from a Ramp Above the Stadium - Atlanta 1996
OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY CROWD AND STADIUM RECORDS (SUMMER)
Largest Stadium to Host the Opening Ceremony Record Timeline
First double-relay (the Olympic Flame was lit by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece, while the organizers planned another relay beginning in the Arctic Circle with a flame lit by the rays of the Midnight Sun) - Helsinki 1952
First to Use Two Different Torch Designs (the final torch was unique to the other torches) - Melbourne 1956
First Olympic Torch Relay to be Run on the Track at the Ancient Stadium in Olympia, Greece - Tokyo 1964
First torch relayed by swimming (amazing photos in the official report of the swimmer swimming with one arm holding the flame high out of the water) - Mexico City 1968
Most Torch Designs - 7 (previous Melbourne 1956 - 2) - Mexico City 1968
First Electronically Transmitted Olympic Flame (as described in the official report: "She then presents the Olympic Flame to the sensor, which detects the ionized particles, converting them into coded impulses that are transmitted by satellite to Ottawa, where they activate a laser beam which instantly recreates the Olympic Flame in its original shape." - while the statement that it could recreate the flame in its original shape is laughably false, this statement is hyperbole - simply, the flame touched a sensor in Athens causing a computer in Ottawa to shoot a laser) - Montreal 1976
First Protested Olympic Torch Relay (people could purchase a spot in the relay for $3,000; this move was objected by the Greek Olympic Committee; the torch lighting and relay in Europe was performed privately, secretly transported to Athens by helicopter, and then by Air-Force One to New York under heavy security to ensure the Olympic tradition continued. The previous plan was to have the flame kindled at the Olympic headquarteres in Switzerland and "electronically" transmitted, a bogus relay method, to a computer in New York - similar to the relay of Montreal 1976 - the purchase program raised $10 million for American youth and handicap organizations) - Los Angeles 1984
First Flame Brought into the Stadium from Underground - Atlanta 1996
OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY MODES OF TRANSPORTATION FIRSTS (SUMMER)
