2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics was held at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea on 9 February 2018. It began at 20:00 KST and finished at approximately 22:20 KST. The Games were officially opened by President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in.
Yuna Kim, South Korean Olympic figure skating champion, lights the Olympic cauldron
Performers during "The Land of Peace" segment
The South Korean flag carried across the stadium
The Unified Korean delegation entering the stadium
The Olympic Games ceremonies of the Ancient Olympic Games were an integral part of these Games; the modern Olympic games have opening, closing, and medal ceremonies. Some of the elements of the modern ceremonies date back to the Ancient Games from which the Modern Olympics draw their ancestry. An example of this is the prominence of Greece in both the opening and closing ceremonies. During the 2004 Games, the medal winners received a crown of olive branches, which was a direct reference to the Ancient Games, in which the victor's prize was an olive wreath. The various elements of the ceremonies are mandated by the Olympic Charter, and cannot be changed by the host nation. This requirement of seeking the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) includes the artistic portion of opening and closing ceremonies.
A scene from the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
As per tradition, the team from Greece leads the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
The lighting of the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics.
The delegations of North and South Korea march as one during the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, in which South Korea was the host.