1988 Summer Olympics opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at Seoul Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on 17 September 1988 at 10:30 KDT (UTC+10). The official song of this game was "Hand in Hand", which was performed by Koreana. The Games were officially opened by President of the Republic of Korea Roh Tae-woo.

1988 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Date17 September 1988 (1988-09-17)
Time10:30 – 13:47 KDT (UTC+10)
LocationSeoul, South Korea
Coordinates37°30′57.1″N 127°04′22.1″E
Filmed byKBS, MBC and SORTO
FootageSeoul 1988 Opening Ceremony - Full Length on YouTube
Olympic rings
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1988 Summer Olympics

Ceremony

Opening

The ceremony was the last one at which doves were released. Since 1920, doves had been released at Olympic opening ceremonies. However, in Seoul many of the doves landed in the cauldron. When Olympic Torch bearer Sohn Kee-chung approached, some of the doves did not leave the cauldron and were burnt alive when the Olympic Flame was lit. The outcry meant that at future games, the doves were represented by inanimate objects or human actors.[1]

Parade of Nations
See also: 1988 Summer Olympics national flag bearers

The flag bearers of 160 National Olympic Committees entered the stadium, ordered by the Korean alphabet, and behind them marched the athletes.

It was also the last parade that involves East Germany, Soviet Union, West Germany and Yugoslavia, and the only parade of South Yemen, which were ceased to exist a few years later.

Opening

SLOOC President Park Seh-jik delivered a speech in Korean, welcoming everyone. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch delivered a speech in English and French. President of the Republic of Korea Roh Tae-woo declared the Games of the XXIV Olympiad in Seoul opened in Korean.

나는 제24회 근대올림픽대회를 경축하면서 서울올림픽 대회를 개최하는 것을 선언합니다. – In celebration of the XXIV Modern Olympic Games, I declare that the Seoul Olympic Games will be held.

— Roh Tae-woo, President of the Republic of Korea

Anthems

Dignitaries in attendance

Most countries were represented by governmental-level representatives, and only a few world leaders came to the ceremony.

Dignitaries from International organizations

Host country dignitaries

Dignitaries from Abroad

References
  1. "When messengers of peace were burnt alive". Deccan Herald. Olympics 2004. Archived from the original on 29 August 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. "노태우대통령 내외 올림픽 개막식 참석[윤종보]" [President Roh Tae-woo attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games [Yoon Jong-bo]] (in Kanuri). Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. 17 September 1988. Retrieved 25 April 2023.


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