The modern Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games encompass more than just the drama and excitement of a sporting competition. Thanks to the vision of their founder, Pierre de Coubertin, and the creative efforts of various host city organisers, the ceremonial aspects of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games have served to set them apart from other international sports competitions. The protocol and splendour of the Olympic or Paralympic ceremonies, which go hand-in-hand with the celebration of the Games as everyone knows them today, make this event a unique and unforgettable festival. Although there was a Closing Ceremony at the Games of the Olympiad in 1896 in Athens, it bore only the slightest resemblance to today’s ceremonies. In fact, some of the elements of Olympic protocol that have become a part of today’s traditions were only gradually established over time through a series of adaptations to the ceremonies of early editions of the Games.
A Closing Ceremony must be organised on the last day of the Games. It must be held in the Olympic stadium, normally after all the events.
A Closing Ceremony must be organised on the last day of the Games. It must be held in the Olympic stadium, normally after all the events.
Entry of the Head of the State
The first element is the entrance of the head of state of the host country (or his/her representative) accompanied by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG). As a prelude, a small show which showing the Olympic Rings or the Paralympic symbol is at the end is performed.
The national anthem
Then the national anthem of the host country is played and its flag hoisted in the Olympic stadium. It is usually raised beside the Olympic flag.
The artistic segment
The artistic programme also follows too. Depending on Summer or Winter Games, it may shown earlier or latter.
Entry of the nations' flags
One of the key moments of a Closing Ceremony is the parade of flags of the countries participating in the Games. The Greek flag opens the march and the host country’s flag brings up the rear. Each flag is generally carried by an athlete chosen by his/her National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Parade of athletes
Not available for the Youth Olympic Games, in this segment, the athletes enter the stadium.
They walk en masse and in no particular order during this parade. For the Games of the Olympiad, the summer YOG or the Summer Paralympic Games, the athletes enter the stadium after the artistic programme and remain in the centre of the field. For the Winter Games, the athletes march is near the beginning of the Ceremony, and the athletes take seats reserved for them in the audience. The idea of having all the athletes parade in no order comes from a young Chinese man, John Ian Wing, an apprentice carpenter in Australia for the 1956 Games in Melbourne. Before these Games, the athletes marched behind their flag-bearer, as at the Opening Ceremony.
Delegations from a nation of that its city will host the next Games usually have a logo of the next Games displayed somewhere in their uniforms or in their clothes.
They walk en masse and in no particular order during this parade. For the Games of the Olympiad, the summer YOG or the Summer Paralympic Games, the athletes enter the stadium after the artistic programme and remain in the centre of the field. For the Winter Games, the athletes march is near the beginning of the Ceremony, and the athletes take seats reserved for them in the audience. The idea of having all the athletes parade in no order comes from a young Chinese man, John Ian Wing, an apprentice carpenter in Australia for the 1956 Games in Melbourne. Before these Games, the athletes marched behind their flag-bearer, as at the Opening Ceremony.
Delegations from a nation of that its city will host the next Games usually have a logo of the next Games displayed somewhere in their uniforms or in their clothes.
Victory ceremony
After the athletes’ parade, a medals ceremony is held. The IOC or IPC, with the help of the OCOG, decides which event will have its medals ceremony during the Closing Ceremony (it is generally the marathon for the Summer Games). For the first editions of the Games, all the medals were presented on the last day.
Presentation of the newly-elected athletes as new IOC or IPC member
The next protocol element is the presentation of the athletes elected by their peers to the IOC or IPC Athletes’ Commission. On behalf of the athletes, one of these new members then presents a bouquet of flowers to a representative of the volunteers as a tribute and mark of gratitude for their work carried out during the Games. While necessary, a special thanks from a volunteer is also spoken.
Raising the Greek flag (at the Olympic Games)
For the Olympic Games (only), the Greek flag is then raised to the left of the Olympic flag. The Greek national anthem is then played. This is a symbol of the link between the Games of Antiquity and those of the modern era.
Lowering the Olympic Flag, Flag handover ceremony, and raising of the next host country's flag
Then comes a solemn moment as the Olympic or the Paralympic flag is lowered to the sound of the Olympic anthem. The mayors of the current host city and next host city join the IOC or IPC President. The mayor of the host city hands the flag to the IOC/IPC President, who hands it to the mayor of the next host city. This handover is a symbolic highlight. The flag will usually be displayed in the town hall of the host city over the next four years.
The flag of the next host country is then raised to the right of the flag of the current host country to the sound of its anthem.
The flag of the next host country is then raised to the right of the flag of the current host country to the sound of its anthem.
Next host city artistic segment
To further mark this transition from one city to another, an artistic segment of the Closing Ceremony, lasting eight minutes, is devoted to the next host city. This segment is an invitation to the youth of the world to attend the next Games.
The speeches
After this segment of the Ceremony, which projects us into the future, the OCOG President delivers a speech thanking the athletes and volunteers, before giving the floor to the IOC/IPC President, who declares the Games closed and invites the youth of the world to come together for the next edition of the Olympic or Paralympic Games four years later.
Extinguishing of the Flame
The last protocol element is undoubtedly the most moving: the Olympic or the Paralympic flame is extinguished in the stadium. With this last element, this time it is certain: the Games are over.