The athletes entered the stadium in a specific order. The athletes from Greece entered first in honor of the original Olympics held in Greece. Then, the other athletes followed by nation in the alphabetical order of the host country’s language. The host country’s athletes came last. So for this coming Olympics 2008, the athletes from China will enter the stadium last.
The chief of state of the host country declared the games open, followed by the raising of the Olympic Flag. Music was played and fireworks were set off in salute. Then, doves were released into the air as a symbol of peace. Runners in cross-country relays brought in the Olympic torch. The running of the torch began four weeks before the Olympic ceremony and thousands of runners took part in this. Planes and ships transported the Olympic torch to each country that lies between Greece and the host country. The most exciting moment of the Olympic ceremony was when the torch entered the stadium and lit the Olympic Flame. The Flame was kept burning until the end of the Olympic games.
