[Music] these host cities pulled out all the
these host cities pulled out all the
these host cities pulled out all the stops
stops
stops welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten Olympic opening ceremonies before we
Olympic opening ceremonies before we
Olympic opening ceremonies before we begin we publish new videos every day so
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content for this list we’re looking at
content for this list we’re looking at the most notable opening extravaganzas
the most notable opening extravaganzas
the most notable opening extravaganzas staged for the Olympic Games
staged for the Olympic Games
staged for the Olympic Games number 10 London 1948 after a 12-year
number 10 London 1948 after a 12-year
number 10 London 1948 after a 12-year hiatus of the Olympics due to World War
hiatus of the Olympics due to World War
hiatus of the Olympics due to World War two the 1948 games nicknamed the
two the 1948 games nicknamed the
two the 1948 games nicknamed the austerity games were an opportunity to
austerity games were an opportunity to
austerity games were an opportunity to honor the past and an attempt to unite a
honor the past and an attempt to unite a
honor the past and an attempt to unite a broken world even if the Soviet Union
broken world even if the Soviet Union
broken world even if the Soviet Union did decline to participate instead of
did decline to participate instead of
did decline to participate instead of focusing on grand theatrics this Olympic
focusing on grand theatrics this Olympic
focusing on grand theatrics this Olympic kickoff was relatively understated army
kickoff was relatively understated army
kickoff was relatively understated army bands marched in front of a crowd at
bands marched in front of a crowd at
bands marched in front of a crowd at Wembley Stadium thousands of pigeons
Wembley Stadium thousands of pigeons
Wembley Stadium thousands of pigeons were released and a 21-gun salute went
were released and a 21-gun salute went
were released and a 21-gun salute went off as the last runner in the torch
off as the last runner in the torch
off as the last runner in the torch relay ran around the track simple and
relay ran around the track simple and
relay ran around the track simple and effective it honored the dire economic
effective it honored the dire economic
effective it honored the dire economic circumstances some countries were in
circumstances some countries were in
circumstances some countries were in after the war while also showing that
after the war while also showing that
after the war while also showing that the human spirit could not be defeated
the human spirit could not be defeated
the human spirit could not be defeated number 9 Seoul 1988 by the late 80s
number 9 Seoul 1988 by the late 80s
number 9 Seoul 1988 by the late 80s South Korea was becoming an influential
South Korea was becoming an influential
South Korea was becoming an influential country on the world stage and this
country on the world stage and this
country on the world stage and this impressive opening ceremony really
impressive opening ceremony really
impressive opening ceremony really reflected the country’s confidence
reflected the country’s confidence
reflected the country’s confidence despite a problematic release of doves
despite a problematic release of doves
despite a problematic release of doves in the stadium the grand production
in the stadium the grand production
in the stadium the grand production really impressed with a demonstration of
really impressed with a demonstration of
really impressed with a demonstration of Taekwondo the Korean martial art that
Taekwondo the Korean martial art that
Taekwondo the Korean martial art that was a demonstration sport in 1988 before
was a demonstration sport in 1988 before
was a demonstration sport in 1988 before becoming an official Olympic sport in
becoming an official Olympic sport in
becoming an official Olympic sport in 2000 and in a dazzling feat of skill and
2000 and in a dazzling feat of skill and
2000 and in a dazzling feat of skill and artistry a team of skydivers while
artistry a team of skydivers while
artistry a team of skydivers while plummeting to earth at top speed came
plummeting to earth at top speed came
plummeting to earth at top speed came together in the form of the iconic
together in the form of the iconic
together in the form of the iconic Olympic rings this was the first time
Olympic rings this was the first time
Olympic rings this was the first time skydiving was broadcast live to a world
skydiving was broadcast live to a world
skydiving was broadcast live to a world TV audience including the audience at
TV audience including the audience at
TV audience including the audience at the stadium number 8 Los Angeles 1984
the stadium number 8 Los Angeles 1984
the stadium number 8 Los Angeles 1984 1984 marked the first time the Summer
1984 marked the first time the Summer
1984 marked the first time the Summer Olympics were held in the US since 1932
Olympics were held in the US since 1932
Olympics were held in the US since 1932 which were also in LA before a crowd of
which were also in LA before a crowd of
which were also in LA before a crowd of almost a hundred thousand the ceremony
almost a hundred thousand the ceremony
almost a hundred thousand the ceremony celebrated music of
celebrated music of
celebrated music of America and a big band an orchestra
America and a big band an orchestra
America and a big band an orchestra played hits ranging from Gershwin to
played hits ranging from Gershwin to
played hits ranging from Gershwin to Michael Jackson’s beat it visually the
Michael Jackson’s beat it visually the
Michael Jackson’s beat it visually the event featured 1,000 volunteers marching
event featured 1,000 volunteers marching
event featured 1,000 volunteers marching in with balloons and a banner that said
in with balloons and a banner that said
in with balloons and a banner that said welcome in over 100 languages a big WOW
welcome in over 100 languages a big WOW
welcome in over 100 languages a big WOW moment came when a young Rocketeer bill
moment came when a young Rocketeer bill
moment came when a young Rocketeer bill suitor
suitor
suitor flew across the stadium on a jet pack
flew across the stadium on a jet pack
flew across the stadium on a jet pack the African American champion decathlete
the African American champion decathlete
the African American champion decathlete Rafer Johnson the 1960 Olympic flag
Rafer Johnson the 1960 Olympic flag
Rafer Johnson the 1960 Olympic flag bearer lit the cauldron number 7 Tokyo
bearer lit the cauldron number 7 Tokyo
bearer lit the cauldron number 7 Tokyo 1964 one for the history books the 1964
1964 one for the history books the 1964
1964 one for the history books the 1964 Summer Olympics were the first held on
Summer Olympics were the first held on
Summer Olympics were the first held on the Asian continent this was also the
the Asian continent this was also the
the Asian continent this was also the first time the event was televised live
first time the event was televised live
first time the event was televised live worldwide the Japanese put on a show
worldwide the Japanese put on a show
worldwide the Japanese put on a show that demonstrated Japan’s desire to move
that demonstrated Japan’s desire to move
that demonstrated Japan’s desire to move on from the atrocities of World War two
on from the atrocities of World War two
on from the atrocities of World War two and usher in a more peaceful era in
and usher in a more peaceful era in
and usher in a more peaceful era in world politics this was demonstrated by
world politics this was demonstrated by
world politics this was demonstrated by the lighting of the Olympic flame by
the lighting of the Olympic flame by
the lighting of the Olympic flame by Yoshino T Sakai a man born in Hiroshima
Yoshino T Sakai a man born in Hiroshima
Yoshino T Sakai a man born in Hiroshima on August 6th 1945 the same day an
on August 6th 1945 the same day an
on August 6th 1945 the same day an atomic bomb was dropped on the city it
atomic bomb was dropped on the city it
atomic bomb was dropped on the city it was a powerful gesture by the Japanese
was a powerful gesture by the Japanese
was a powerful gesture by the Japanese people and one that captures the true
people and one that captures the true
people and one that captures the true essence of the games number 6 Atlanta
essence of the games number 6 Atlanta
essence of the games number 6 Atlanta 1996 as American as apple pie the
1996 as American as apple pie the
1996 as American as apple pie the Atlanta opening ceremony felt like a
Atlanta opening ceremony felt like a
Atlanta opening ceremony felt like a football game on a much grander scale
football game on a much grander scale
football game on a much grander scale featuring marching bands steppers and
featuring marching bands steppers and
featuring marching bands steppers and cheerleaders this ceremony was deeply
cheerleaders this ceremony was deeply
cheerleaders this ceremony was deeply inspired by the culture of the south
inspired by the culture of the south
inspired by the culture of the south performers and props evoked the South’s
performers and props evoked the South’s
performers and props evoked the South’s history from the Civil War to the
history from the Civil War to the
history from the Civil War to the eventual southern Renaissance
eventual southern Renaissance
eventual southern Renaissance incorporating music like jazz and gospel
incorporating music like jazz and gospel
incorporating music like jazz and gospel standards Gladys Knight also busted out
standards Gladys Knight also busted out
standards Gladys Knight also busted out a monumental version of Georgia on my
a monumental version of Georgia on my
a monumental version of Georgia on my mind the state’s official song but what
mind the state’s official song but what
mind the state’s official song but what if the most touching moments came when
if the most touching moments came when
if the most touching moments came when boxing legend Muhammad Ali who was
boxing legend Muhammad Ali who was
boxing legend Muhammad Ali who was suffering from Parkinson’s disease lit
suffering from Parkinson’s disease lit
suffering from Parkinson’s disease lit the Olympic Cauldron number five
the Olympic Cauldron number five
the Olympic Cauldron number five Barcelona 1992 Barcelona made sure that
Barcelona 1992 Barcelona made sure that
Barcelona 1992 Barcelona made sure that their opening ceremony was a celebration
their opening ceremony was a celebration
their opening ceremony was a celebration of life with giant colorful puppets
of life with giant colorful puppets
of life with giant colorful puppets manned by puppeteers dancing throughout
manned by puppeteers dancing throughout
manned by puppeteers dancing throughout the stadium it was hard not to get
the stadium it was hard not to get
the stadium it was hard not to get caught up in the spirit of the event
caught up in the spirit of the event
caught up in the spirit of the event Andrew Lloyd Webber contributed the
Andrew Lloyd Webber contributed the
Andrew Lloyd Webber contributed the game’s theme song amigos para siempre
game’s theme song amigos para siempre
game’s theme song amigos para siempre friends for life which was sung live by
friends for life which was sung live by
friends for life which was sung live by Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras but
Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras but
Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras but what made this opener stand out the most
what made this opener stand out the most
what made this opener stand out the most was the lighting
was the lighting
was the lighting of the cauldron to light the flame
of the cauldron to light the flame
of the cauldron to light the flame Paralympic Archer Antonio Rubio shot a
Paralympic Archer Antonio Rubio shot a
Paralympic Archer Antonio Rubio shot a flaming arrow across the stadium the
flaming arrow across the stadium the
flaming arrow across the stadium the moment was unforgettable
moment was unforgettable
moment was unforgettable and instantly iconic number four Athens
and instantly iconic number four Athens
and instantly iconic number four Athens 2004 as the birthplace of the first
2004 as the birthplace of the first
2004 as the birthplace of the first Olympics Athens has a hill lasts a lot
Olympics Athens has a hill lasts a lot
Olympics Athens has a hill lasts a lot of history to celebrate the past and
of history to celebrate the past and
of history to celebrate the past and present were tied together on screen
present were tied together on screen
present were tied together on screen with drummers playing in both the
with drummers playing in both the
with drummers playing in both the Ancient Olympia Stadium and the new
Ancient Olympia Stadium and the new
Ancient Olympia Stadium and the new Athens Olympic Stadium a rocket
Athens Olympic Stadium a rocket
Athens Olympic Stadium a rocket simulated to have been launched from the
simulated to have been launched from the
simulated to have been launched from the older Stadium landed in the pool of the
older Stadium landed in the pool of the
older Stadium landed in the pool of the newer Stadium and lit flaming Olympic
newer Stadium and lit flaming Olympic
newer Stadium and lit flaming Olympic rings symbolizing the past giving life
rings symbolizing the past giving life
rings symbolizing the past giving life to the modern era the show was split
to the modern era the show was split
to the modern era the show was split into two segments allegory and hourglass
into two segments allegory and hourglass
into two segments allegory and hourglass the first more conceptual the second
the first more conceptual the second
the first more conceptual the second about Greek history
about Greek history
about Greek history the Athens opening ceremony was a feat
the Athens opening ceremony was a feat
the Athens opening ceremony was a feat in technology with praise given to the
in technology with praise given to the
in technology with praise given to the lighting floating sculptures and the
lighting floating sculptures and the
lighting floating sculptures and the innovation used to drain the pool in a
innovation used to drain the pool in a
innovation used to drain the pool in a mere two minutes number three London
mere two minutes number three London
mere two minutes number three London 2012 the Brits made the right decision
2012 the Brits made the right decision
2012 the Brits made the right decision when they picked filmmaker Danny Boyle
when they picked filmmaker Danny Boyle
when they picked filmmaker Danny Boyle to direct the show Boyle and his
to direct the show Boyle and his
to direct the show Boyle and his creative team created a presentation
creative team created a presentation
creative team created a presentation that infused the theme Isles of wonder
that infused the theme Isles of wonder
that infused the theme Isles of wonder into every minute the show strength was
into every minute the show strength was
into every minute the show strength was its ability to mix pop culture with a
its ability to mix pop culture with a
its ability to mix pop culture with a telling of the nation’s history from its
telling of the nation’s history from its
telling of the nation’s history from its humble beginnings to becoming a world
humble beginnings to becoming a world
humble beginnings to becoming a world leader with appearances from pop culture
leader with appearances from pop culture
leader with appearances from pop culture faves including Mary Poppins mr. bean
faves including Mary Poppins mr. bean
faves including Mary Poppins mr. bean James Bond Harry Potter and many more
James Bond Harry Potter and many more
James Bond Harry Potter and many more there was something for everyone and the
there was something for everyone and the
there was something for everyone and the music featured songs including London
music featured songs including London
music featured songs including London Calling my generation and Bohemian
Calling my generation and Bohemian
Calling my generation and Bohemian Rhapsody gave the show a palpable energy
Rhapsody gave the show a palpable energy
Rhapsody gave the show a palpable energy that encapsulated the spirit of Great
that encapsulated the spirit of Great
that encapsulated the spirit of Great Britain number 2 Sydney 2000 full of
Britain number 2 Sydney 2000 full of
Britain number 2 Sydney 2000 full of energy from the get-go they started with
energy from the get-go they started with
energy from the get-go they started with a horse show paying tribute to the
a horse show paying tribute to the
a horse show paying tribute to the Australian stock horse 120 riders
Australian stock horse 120 riders
Australian stock horse 120 riders performed a beautifully choreographed
performed a beautifully choreographed
performed a beautifully choreographed step routine that included forming the
step routine that included forming the
step routine that included forming the five Olympic rings they told the world
five Olympic rings they told the world
five Olympic rings they told the world good eye and proceeded to WoW with
good eye and proceeded to WoW with
good eye and proceeded to WoW with sections of the show that included a
sections of the show that included a
sections of the show that included a tribute to the Great Barrier Reef
tribute to the Great Barrier Reef
tribute to the Great Barrier Reef Aboriginal culture and even in nature
Aboriginal culture and even in nature
Aboriginal culture and even in nature segments depicting the stages of
segments depicting the stages of
segments depicting the stages of bushfire destroying and replenishing
bushfire destroying and replenishing
bushfire destroying and replenishing life there was one small snafu as the
life there was one small snafu as the
life there was one small snafu as the Ascension of a giant ring of fire to the
Ascension of a giant ring of fire to the
Ascension of a giant ring of fire to the top of the stage
top of the stage
top of the stage installed for four long minutes but even
installed for four long minutes but even
installed for four long minutes but even a little mistake couldn’t take away from
a little mistake couldn’t take away from
a little mistake couldn’t take away from the spectacular show
the spectacular show
the spectacular show number one Beijing 2008 featuring a
number one Beijing 2008 featuring a
number one Beijing 2008 featuring a whopping 15,000 performers the Beijing
whopping 15,000 performers the Beijing
whopping 15,000 performers the Beijing opening ceremony was a triumphant feat
opening ceremony was a triumphant feat
opening ceremony was a triumphant feat of planning and execution directed by
of planning and execution directed by
of planning and execution directed by John Nemo a Chinese filmmaker known for
John Nemo a Chinese filmmaker known for
John Nemo a Chinese filmmaker known for movies like raised the red lantern the
movies like raised the red lantern the
movies like raised the red lantern the artistic section of the ceremony was
artistic section of the ceremony was
artistic section of the ceremony was divided into two parts
divided into two parts
divided into two parts brilliant civilization and glorious era
brilliant civilization and glorious era
brilliant civilization and glorious era they told the story of China’s rich
they told the story of China’s rich
they told the story of China’s rich history as well as depicting a vision
history as well as depicting a vision
history as well as depicting a vision for peace and harmony worldwide
for peace and harmony worldwide
for peace and harmony worldwide beginning with the beating of bronze
beginning with the beating of bronze
beginning with the beating of bronze foul drums the show depicted aspects of
foul drums the show depicted aspects of
foul drums the show depicted aspects of Chinese history and culture including
Chinese history and culture including
Chinese history and culture including scroll painting terracotta soldiers the
scroll painting terracotta soldiers the
scroll painting terracotta soldiers the Silk Road and Chinese opera the for our
Silk Road and Chinese opera the for our
Silk Road and Chinese opera the for our ceremony cost approximately a massive
ceremony cost approximately a massive
ceremony cost approximately a massive 100 million dollars u.s. but every penny
100 million dollars u.s. but every penny
100 million dollars u.s. but every penny was worth it for an opening ceremony
was worth it for an opening ceremony
was worth it for an opening ceremony second to none
you
you [Music]
”
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