The Opening Ceremony represents the official commencement of the Olympic Games.

Pierre de Coubertin, Founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), initially intended the Modern Olympics to feature both athletic competitions and artistic achievements. Since the Modern Olympics has evolved into a celebration of sport, it is in the opening ceremonies that we see the most of Coubertin's artistic ideals. The ceremonies typically start with the raising of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. The host nation then presents elements of its culture by performing artistic displays of music, song and dance.

The traditional part of the ceremonies starts with a "Parade of Nations", during which participating athletes would march into the stadium, country by country. Each country's delegation is led by a sign with the name of their country and their national flag. Traditionally, Greece enters the stadium first, due to its historical status as the progenitor of the Olympics, while the host nation marches last. All other participating teams march in alphabetical order according to the dominant language of the host country.

After all nations have entered, the President of the organising committee will deliver a speech follows by the President of the IOC. At the end of his speech, the IOC President will introduce the representative of the host country who officially declares the Games open. The designated person officially opens the Olympic Games by reciting the following line:

I declare open the Games of [name of the host city] celebrating the [ordinal number of the Olympiad] Olympiad of the modern era.

The Olympic flag is then carried horizontally into the stadium and hoisted as the Olympic Anthem is played. The Olympic Charter states that the Olympic flag must "fly for the entire duration of the Olympic Games from a flagpole placed in a prominent position in the main stadium".

The flag bearers of all countries then circle a rostrum, where one athlete and one judge take the Olympic Oath, declaring they will compete and judge fairly according to the rules of their respective sport. Finally, the Torch is brought into the stadium, passing from one athlete to another, until it reaches the last carrier; often a well-known athlete from the host nation who will light the fire in the stadium's cauldron.