1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony The opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics took place in the evening on Friday 19 July in the Centennial Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, United States. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings combined the formal and ceremonial opening of this international sporting event, including welcoming speeches, hoisting of the flags and the parade of athletes, with an artistic spectacle to showcase the host nation’s culture and history. The Olympic cauldron was lit by former gold medalist and boxing champion Muhammad Ali. The ceremony features Award-winning and Grammy Award-time nominated film composer, John Williams, French
2014 Asian Games opening ceremony of South Korea's third city has admitted that Incheon, which has built 17 new venues, is in financial trouble because of the cost of hosting the Games. South Korean President Park Geun-hye was accompanied by President of International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of Olympic Council of Asia Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Tokyo Governor Yōichi Masuzoe and also Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok. Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yoon-ok also attended the ceremony. The theme for the 1st half of the opening ceremony which is one of the most stunning spectacles in any major sports event