1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony Antwerp flag was then present to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley as Bradley was not present at the closing ceremonies of the 1980 Moscow games. Speeches are made by LAOOC President Peter Ueberroth and IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch. The first time a sitting US president officially opened the games in person. President Ronald Reagan declared the competition officially open. The Olympic Flag entered the stadium. The Olympic Hymn is played with no words. Homing Pigeons were released. The same cauldron was used as in the 1932 Summer Games. The orchestra played "The Olympian" composed and conducted by Philip Glass.
Venezuela at the 1956 Summer Olympics Venezuela at the 1956 Summer Olympics Venezuela competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia, and in the equestrian events held in Stockholm, Sweden. 22 competitors, all men, were selected by the Comité Olímpico Venezolano to take part in 16 events in 5 sports. This was the first and one of the only three times a Venezuelan equestrian representation were sent to a Summer Olympic Games. Venezuela will not send any other equestrian team until 1988 Summer Olympics. Also these games were the second time of a total of four that Venezuelan women will not compete in any