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Opening Ceremonies throughout the years

Hannah Brezack
  • <p>The Opening Ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi featured scenes from Russian history, including a display of the iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. (AP) </p>
    1/16

    2014 Sochi Olympics

    The Opening Ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi featured scenes from Russian history, including a display of the iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. (AP)

  • <p>The most memorable moment from Sochi was when one of the Olympic rings failed to open during the Opening Ceremony. (AP) </p>
    2/16

    2014 Sochi Olympics

    The most memorable moment from Sochi was when one of the Olympic rings failed to open during the Opening Ceremony. (AP)

  • <p>The London Opening Ceremony highlighted the UK's cultural achievements with a Lord Voldemort puppet to celebrate "Harry Potter" and performers dressed as Mary Poppins. (Getty) </p>
    3/16

    2012 London Olympics

    The London Opening Ceremony highlighted the UK's cultural achievements with a Lord Voldemort puppet to celebrate "Harry Potter" and performers dressed as Mary Poppins. (Getty)

  • <p>Skydivers dressed as Queen Elizabeth II (left) and James Bond (right) parachuted over the Opening Ceremony arena in London. (AP) </p>
    4/16

    2012 London Olympics

    Skydivers dressed as Queen Elizabeth II (left) and James Bond (right) parachuted over the Opening Ceremony arena in London. (AP)

  • <p>In 2010, Vancouver's Opening Ceremony paid tribute to Canada's First Nations people and also showcased the diversity of the country's different regions. (AP) </p>
    5/16

    2010 Vancouver Olympics

    In 2010, Vancouver's Opening Ceremony paid tribute to Canada's First Nations people and also showcased the diversity of the country's different regions. (AP)

  • <p>No malfunctions here! Vancouver opened the Games with a snowboarder jumping through the Olympic rings. (AP) </p>
    6/16

    2010 Vancouver Olympics

    No malfunctions here! Vancouver opened the Games with a snowboarder jumping through the Olympic rings. (AP)

  • <p>China took us through both its ancient and modern history in 2008, with performers forming the shape of the iconic Bird's Nest stadium which hosted the Opening Ceremony. (AP) </p>
    7/16

    2008 Beijing Olympics

    China took us through both its ancient and modern history in 2008, with performers forming the shape of the iconic Bird's Nest stadium which hosted the Opening Ceremony. (AP)

  • <p>The performers in the Beijing Opening Ceremony wowed international audiences with their incredible coordinated drumming. (AP) </p>
    8/16

    2008 Beijing Olympics

    The performers in the Beijing Opening Ceremony wowed international audiences with their incredible coordinated drumming. (AP)

  • <p>During the Opening Ceremony, Turin showed off its culture and history with performers floating through the stadium with balloons. (AP) </p>
    9/16

    2006 Turin Olympics

    During the Opening Ceremony, Turin showed off its culture and history with performers floating through the stadium with balloons. (AP)

  • <p>Acrobats came together to form a dove, symbolizing a call for peace, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Games. (Getty) </p>
    10/16

    2006 Turin Olympics

    Acrobats came together to form a dove, symbolizing a call for peace, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Games. (Getty)

  • <p>Performers at the Opening Ceremony in 2004 dressed as statues of athletes to celebrate Athens as the location of the first modern Olympics. (AP) </p>
    11/16

    2004 Athens Olympics

    Performers at the Opening Ceremony in 2004 dressed as statues of athletes to celebrate Athens as the location of the first modern Olympics. (AP)

  • <p>The Athenians reenacted classical Greek myths to highlight the country's ancient culture and its lasting impact on the present. (Getty) </p>
    12/16

    2004 Athens Olympics

    The Athenians reenacted classical Greek myths to highlight the country's ancient culture and its lasting impact on the present. (Getty)

  • <p>In Salt Lake City, the Olympic torch and fireworks lit up the night sky above Rice-Eccles Stadium to celebrate the opening of the 2002 Olympics. (Getty) </p>
    13/16

    2002 Salt Lake City Olympics

    In Salt Lake City, the Olympic torch and fireworks lit up the night sky above Rice-Eccles Stadium to celebrate the opening of the 2002 Olympics. (Getty)

  • <p>Native Americans performed during the Opening Ceremony to commemorate American history. (AP) </p>
    14/16

    2002 Salt Lake City Olympics

    Native Americans performed during the Opening Ceremony to commemorate American history. (AP)

  • 15/16

    Opening Ceremonies throughout the years

  • <p>Singer Nikki Webster performed during the segment of the 2000 Opening Ceremony that honored Australia's aboriginal people. (AP) </p>
    16/16

    2000 Sydney Olympics

    Singer Nikki Webster performed during the segment of the 2000 Opening Ceremony that honored Australia's aboriginal people. (AP)

<p>The Opening Ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi featured scenes from Russian history, including a display of the iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. (AP) </p>
<p>The most memorable moment from Sochi was when one of the Olympic rings failed to open during the Opening Ceremony. (AP) </p>
<p>The London Opening Ceremony highlighted the UK's cultural achievements with a Lord Voldemort puppet to celebrate "Harry Potter" and performers dressed as Mary Poppins. (Getty) </p>
<p>Skydivers dressed as Queen Elizabeth II (left) and James Bond (right) parachuted over the Opening Ceremony arena in London. (AP) </p>
<p>In 2010, Vancouver's Opening Ceremony paid tribute to Canada's First Nations people and also showcased the diversity of the country's different regions. (AP) </p>
<p>No malfunctions here! Vancouver opened the Games with a snowboarder jumping through the Olympic rings. (AP) </p>
<p>China took us through both its ancient and modern history in 2008, with performers forming the shape of the iconic Bird's Nest stadium which hosted the Opening Ceremony. (AP) </p>
<p>The performers in the Beijing Opening Ceremony wowed international audiences with their incredible coordinated drumming. (AP) </p>
<p>During the Opening Ceremony, Turin showed off its culture and history with performers floating through the stadium with balloons. (AP) </p>
<p>Acrobats came together to form a dove, symbolizing a call for peace, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Games. (Getty) </p>
<p>Performers at the Opening Ceremony in 2004 dressed as statues of athletes to celebrate Athens as the location of the first modern Olympics. (AP) </p>
<p>The Athenians reenacted classical Greek myths to highlight the country's ancient culture and its lasting impact on the present. (Getty) </p>
<p>In Salt Lake City, the Olympic torch and fireworks lit up the night sky above Rice-Eccles Stadium to celebrate the opening of the 2002 Olympics. (Getty) </p>
<p>Native Americans performed during the Opening Ceremony to commemorate American history. (AP) </p>
<p>Singer Nikki Webster performed during the segment of the 2000 Opening Ceremony that honored Australia's aboriginal people. (AP) </p>

The Opening Ceremony is a chance for the Olympic host country to show off to the rest of the world. The country gets to celebrate its historical and cultural achievements in a spectacular, elaborate display and wow international audiences with impressive performers and dramatic scenery.

Take a look back at the memorable moments from past Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

[Related: 20 inspirational moments in Olympic history]