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TOKYO, 2021
Eugene Hoshiko/AP/Shutterstock
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DYLAN MARTINEZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The opening ceremony also highlighted a unique part of Japan’s history and culture, with a group of tap dancersperforming a traditional work songcalled the “Kiyari Uta,” dressed as carpenters.
It all culminated in a gorgeous set of Olympic rings, made from the lumber of trees that grew from seeds athletes brought from their home countries to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
03of 22PYEONGCHANG, 2018Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesThe colorful, culture-filled ceremony featured a group of young kids who appeared to embark on a journey through South Korea’s rugged mountains with Pyeongchang’s official Olympic mascot, Soohorang, a white tiger who serves as a sign of protection.
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PYEONGCHANG, 2018
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The colorful, culture-filled ceremony featured a group of young kids who appeared to embark on a journey through South Korea’s rugged mountains with Pyeongchang’s official Olympic mascot, Soohorang, a white tiger who serves as a sign of protection.
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05of 22RIO DE JANEIRO, 2016FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/GettyThe ceremony celebrated Brazil’s history — all of it. In its charting of the nation’s rich cultural history, the ceremony began at the very beginning of time, with dancers in silver representing the amoebas who evolved to bring us life. Brazil’s most famous supermodel, Gisele Bündchen, also took a nice long runway walk.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, 2016
FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty
The ceremony celebrated Brazil’s history — all of it. In its charting of the nation’s rich cultural history, the ceremony began at the very beginning of time, with dancers in silver representing the amoebas who evolved to bring us life. Brazil’s most famous supermodel, Gisele Bündchen, also took a nice long runway walk.
06of 22RIO DE JANEIRO, 2016CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyAlso in the Rio opening ceremony: a giant, stadium-wide dance party, the introduction of the Olympics' first refugee team and an exploration of Brazilian industry and culture.
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CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty
Also in the Rio opening ceremony: a giant, stadium-wide dance party, the introduction of the Olympics' first refugee team and an exploration of Brazilian industry and culture.
07of 22SOCHI, 2014David Gray/Reuters/LandovRed gears symbolized the Russian Revolution of 1917.
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SOCHI, 2014
David Gray/Reuters/Landov
Red gears symbolized the Russian Revolution of 1917.
08of 22LONDON, 2012OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettySpooky depictions ofHarry Potter’s Lord Voldemort andAlice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts recognized British children’s literature.
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LONDON, 2012
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty
Spooky depictions ofHarry Potter’s Lord Voldemort andAlice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts recognized British children’s literature.
09of 22LONDON, 2012Morgan Treacy/INPHO/GettyOn a similar note, a pack of Mary Poppins lookalikes flew through the air.
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Morgan Treacy/INPHO/Getty
On a similar note, a pack of Mary Poppins lookalikes flew through the air.
10of 22VANCOUVER, 2010SAEED KHAN/AFP/GettyA giant LED light-covered bear delighted the crowd.
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VANCOUVER, 2010
SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty
A giant LED light-covered bear delighted the crowd.
11of 22BEIJING, 2008Cameron Spencer/GettyIn a show full of symbolism related to the country’s contributions to society, a sea of drummers played in perfect synchronization.
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BEIJING, 2008
Cameron Spencer/Getty
In a show full of symbolism related to the country’s contributions to society, a sea of drummers played in perfect synchronization.
12of 22BEIJING, 2008Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post/GettyColorfully costumed performers filled the stadium floor.
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Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post/Getty
Colorfully costumed performers filled the stadium floor.
13of 22TORINO, 2006Pascal le Segretain/GettyA larger-than-life performer had a surprise under her oversized skirt.
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TORINO, 2006
Pascal le Segretain/Getty
A larger-than-life performer had a surprise under her oversized skirt.
14of 22TORINO, 2006Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho/GettyMechanical dancers dazzled during the ceremony’s Futurism segment.
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Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
Mechanical dancers dazzled during the ceremony’s Futurism segment.
15of 22ATHENS, 2004Fairfax Media/GettyPerformers dressed as statues paid tribute to Greek mythology and art.
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ATHENS, 2004
Fairfax Media/Getty
Performers dressed as statues paid tribute to Greek mythology and art.
16of 22SALT LAKE CITY, 2002Clive Mason/GettyAn ice skater pulled off a backflip as sparks shot from his hands and feet.
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SALT LAKE CITY, 2002
Clive Mason/Getty
An ice skater pulled off a backflip as sparks shot from his hands and feet.
17of 22SYDNEY, 2000KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/GettyEnormous sea creatures floated above dancers.
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SYDNEY, 2000
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty
Enormous sea creatures floated above dancers.
18of 22NAGANO, 1998Dimitri Iundt/Corbis/GettySumo wrestlers participated in a ritual to expel evil from the grounds.
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NAGANO, 1998
Dimitri Iundt/Corbis/Getty
Sumo wrestlers participated in a ritual to expel evil from the grounds.
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ATLANTA, 1996
Puppeteers led American South-inspired figures around the venue.
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ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty
Acrobats performed on a swinging carousel.
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BARCELONA, 1992
David Madison/Getty
22of 22LOS ANGELES, 1984Steve Powell/GettyTest pilot Bill Suitor flew around the stadium in a jet pack.
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LOS ANGELES, 1984
Steve Powell/Getty
Test pilot Bill Suitor flew around the stadium in a jet pack.
source: people.com
