Paris, France - The Olympic Games officially kick off tomorrow in the city of Paris, France. As is tradition, the opening ceremony will begin with a celebration of the host country, followed by the highly anticipated parade of athletes.
One of the most recognized traditions of the Olympic Games is the order in which the participating nations enter the stadium. Greece, the historic birthplace of the Olympic Games, will always lead the parade.
This custom dates back to the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, when Athens was chosen as the inaugural host city. Ever since then, the Greek team and flag have proudly entered first at each Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
"It's a way to honor Greece's pivotal role in creating the Olympic movement that we all cherish today," said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. "The Greeks are the founding fathers of this global sporting event, and we want to recognize that legacy every four years."
After the Greek contingent, the remaining nations will enter the stadium in alphabetical order based on the language of the host country. This means Afghanistan will be the second nation to parade, followed by South Africa, and so on. The host country, France, will enter last to close out the ceremony.
The significance of Greece's prominent placement extends beyond the opening parade. During the closing ceremony, the Greek flag will also be prominently displayed, a nod to the ancient Olympic Games that were held in Greece for over a millennium, from 776 BC to 393 AD.
"It's a powerful symbol that connects the modern Olympics to their historic roots," added Bach. "As the world watches on, we want to make sure Greece's foundational role is always honored and celebrated."
As the athletes of 207 nations prepare to compete over the next two weeks, the world will once again be reminded of the Olympic Games' Greek origins through this time-honored tradition.