100 years of Olympic Games opening ceremonies - in pictures

  • Smoke in the colours of the French flag over Austerlitz Bridge during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. All photos: Getty Images
    Smoke in the colours of the French flag over Austerlitz Bridge during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. All photos: Getty Images
  • Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the games were delayed a year and held in 2021
    Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the games were delayed a year and held in 2021
  • Fireworks light up the night sky over Maracana stadium during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Brazil, with the Mangueira 'favela' community in the foreground
    Fireworks light up the night sky over Maracana stadium during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Brazil, with the Mangueira 'favela' community in the foreground
  • Britain's Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
    Britain's Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
  • The opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium in China
    The opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium in China
  • Performers act out a scene representing Greek culture and art during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
    Performers act out a scene representing Greek culture and art during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
  • Torch bearer and Australian athlete Cathy Freeman lights the cauldron with the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
    Torch bearer and Australian athlete Cathy Freeman lights the cauldron with the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
  • Olympic gold medallist and former boxing heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali carries the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games in the USA
    Olympic gold medallist and former boxing heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali carries the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games in the USA
  • The opening ceremony of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games in Spain
    The opening ceremony of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games in Spain
  • The Olympic flame is lit during the opening ceremony of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea
    The Olympic flame is lit during the opening ceremony of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea
  • The opening ceremony for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California, USA
    The opening ceremony for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California, USA
  • The opening ceremony of the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games in Russia
    The opening ceremony of the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games in Russia
  • The opening ceremony for the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games in Canada
    The opening ceremony for the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games in Canada
  • Parades through the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Munich 1972 Olympic Games in West Germany
    Parades through the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Munich 1972 Olympic Games in West Germany
  • Balloons are released over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico
    Balloons are released over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico
  • Olympic flame torchbearer Yoshinori Sakai mounts the steps to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games in Japan
    Olympic flame torchbearer Yoshinori Sakai mounts the steps to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games in Japan
  • Italian athlete Giancarlo Peris brings the Olympic flame to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony the Rome 1960 Olympic Games in Italy
    Italian athlete Giancarlo Peris brings the Olympic flame to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony the Rome 1960 Olympic Games in Italy
  • Australian athlete Ron Clarke carries the Olympic torch into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games in Australia
    Australian athlete Ron Clarke carries the Olympic torch into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games in Australia
  • Thousands of carrier pigeons fly over the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony of the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games in Finland
    Thousands of carrier pigeons fly over the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony of the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games in Finland
  • The opening ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games in Britain. The Olympics were making a return after a 12-year break due to the Second World War
    The opening ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games in Britain. The Olympics were making a return after a 12-year break due to the Second World War
  • The Olympic torch is carried into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games in Germany
    The Olympic torch is carried into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games in Germany
  • The opening ceremony of the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games at the Memorial Coliseum in California, USA
    The opening ceremony of the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games at the Memorial Coliseum in California, USA
  • The parade at the opening ceremony of the Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games in Netherlands
    The parade at the opening ceremony of the Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games in Netherlands
  • The opening ceremony at Colombes Stadium during the Paris 1924 Olympic Games in France
    The opening ceremony at Colombes Stadium during the Paris 1924 Olympic Games in France