With the popular 2010 Winter Olympic Games slogan, "Do you believe?" being spread by the media, lately most people have been saying yes as the Olympic Games slowly appraoches. And you can expect the whole city of Vancouver to be saying yes on February 12th when the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics will start in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
The Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics marks the start of a collective gathering of not only athletes, but people of all countries throughout the world. Many take the long haul to compete in the Olympics, and many come just to be a part of the special moment. But for many Canadians in the Vancouver area, this will be a moment they will never forget. An opening ceremony being held in their own home town, with the rising of their nation's flag, and the singing of their national anthem.
As a tradition for the Opening Ceremonies there is a certain pattern that is always followed. The athletes competing for Greece always start the train of athletes into the Opening Ceremonies, followed by all countries teams in alphabetical order, accept the hosting country which is always last. The Olympic Flag is raised and the Olympic Hymn is played. Upon the arrival of the torch the flame is lit at its final destination and the Olympic Oath and Creed is said.
The Olympic Oath is said by a member of the hosting team, and while holding a corner of the nation's flag, he or she recites the following on behalf of all the competing athletes: "In the name of all the competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."
The Olympic Creed is also said by an athlete or representative of the host team, that was decided upon by Pierre de Coubertin to be said at every Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. He originally took it from a speech by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot during the 1908 Games, as it addresses the main purpose of the Games. "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
Above all, millions of spectators will line the streets to celebrate in this spectacular event, to mark the start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
What to expect at the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
