1988 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Date | 17 September 1988 |
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Time | 10:30 – 13:47 KST (UTC+9) |
Location | Seoul, South Korea |
Coordinates | 37°30′57.1″N 127°04′22.1″E / 37.515861°N 127.072806°ECoordinates: 37°30′57.1″N 127°04′22.1″E / 37.515861°N 127.072806°E |
Filmed by | KBS, MBC and |
Footage | Seoul 1988 Opening Ceremony - Full Length on YouTube |
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1988 Summer Olympics |
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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 KST (UTC+9). 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.
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[]
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, which was ceased to exist 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. South Korean President Roh Tae-woo declared the Games of the XXIV Olympiad in Seoul opened.
Anthems[]
Dignitaries in attendance[]
Most countries were represented by governmental-level representatives, and only a few world leaders came to the ceremony.
International organizations:
United Nations - Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar
International Olympic Committee - President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president Lord Killanin and members of the IOC
Host nation :
South Korea - President of the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee Park Seh-jik, President of the Republic of Korea Roh Tae-woo, First Lady of the Republic of Korea Kim Ok-suk, Prime Minister Lee Hyun-jae, National Assembly member Kim Dae-jung, Lee Hee-ho, President of Democratic Reunification Kim Young-sam, Son Myung-soon and other prominent South Korean politicians
Foreign dignitaries :
Thailand - Vice Prime Minister , Miss Universe 1988 Porntip Nakhirunkanok
Japan - Prime Minister of Japan Noboru Takeshita and wife
China - Second Vice Premier of China Tian Jiyun
Spain - Crown Prince Felipe and Queen Sofia of Spain
West Germany - First Mayor of Hamburg Henning Voscherau
Denmark - Crown Prince Frederick
France - Foreign Minister Roland Dumas
Italy - Deputy Prime Minister Gianni De Michelis
Greece - Former King of Greece Constantine II
Luxembourg - Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Monaco - Prince of Monaco Rainier III
United States - Mayor of Los Angeles Thomas Bradley
Canada - Mayor of Calgary Don Hartman
Iran - Vice President
Gambia - Vice President , Foreign Minister
United Kingdom - Minister for Sport Colin Moynihan, 4th Baron Moynihan
Norway - Crown Prince Harald and Prince Haakon of Norway
Sweden - King Carl XVI Gustaf
Switzerland - Vice President Jean-Pascal Delamuraz
Malaysia - Azlan Shah of Perak
Brunei - Prince
TV coverage[]
References[]
- ^ Herald, Deccan. "When messengers of peace were burnt alive". Olympics 2004. Archived from the original on 29 August 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
Bibliography[]
- 1988 Summer Olympics
- Ceremonies in South Korea
- Olympics opening ceremonies
- 1988 Summer Olympics stubs