the Head of State of the Host Country The Head of State of the host country is received at the entrance of the stadium by the President of the IOC and by the President of the Organising Committee (OCOG).
The parade of the participants The parade of the participants then follows. Each delegation must be preceded by a nameboard bearing its name and must be accompanied by its flag. The delegations parade in alphabetical order according to the language of the host country, except for Greece, which leads the parade, and for the host country, which brings up the rear.
The speech by the President of the Organising Committee The President of the OCOG gives an address, then adds these words: "I have the honour of inviting ..., President of the International Olympic Committee, to speak."
The speech by the IOC PresidentThe President of the IOC then gives a speech which he ends with, "I have the honour of inviting ... (the Head of State) to proclaim open the Games of the… Olympiad of the modern era."
The Head of State declares the Games openThe Head of State proclaims the Games open by saying: "I declare open the Games of ... (name of City) celebrating the ... Olympiad of the modern era."
The playing of the Olympic Anthem and the entry and raising of the Olympic Flag While the Olympic anthem is being played, the Olympic flag, unfurled horizontally, is brought into the stadium and hoisted on the flagpole erected in the arena.
The last stage of the Olympic Torch relay and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron The Olympic torch is brought into the stadium by runners relaying each other. The last runner lights the Olympic cauldron. The Olympic Flame shall not be extinguished until the closing of the Olympic Games.
The taking of the oath by a competitorThe flag bearers of all the delegations form a semicircle around the rostrum. A competitor of the host country mounts the rostrum. Holding a corner of the Olympic flag in his left hand, and raising his right hand, he takes the following solemn oath: "In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams".
The taking of the oath by a judgeImmediately afterwards, a judge from the host country mounts the rostrum and, in the same manner, takes the following oath: "In the name of all the judges and officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these Olympic Games with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship."
national anthem of the host countryThe national anthem of the host country is then played. 
The artistic programmeThis is followed by the artistic programme designed and developed by the organising committee for the opening ceremony. 
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics is regarded as the largest sporting event in 2008. It is held at an interval of every four years. There are quite a few of events held in the competition and the first, second and the third competitors are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. This international sports competition is also popular as the Games of the Olympiad and boasts of a history of more than a hundred years.
The history of the Summer Olympics dates back to as early as 1894 when Baron de Coubertin and Pierre Fredi decided to try out sports for improving international relations. This competition was modeled on the Wenlock Olympian Society Annual Games, which has been held since 1850. The first Summer Olympics saw the participation of only 245 competitors representing 14 countries. Of these competitors, more than 200 were from Greece itself.
The City of Athens: Athens , the glorious capital of Greece has always been the birthplace of civilization from ancient times. Many wise personalities were born in this city—it has also witnessed the birth of democracy. Athens is famous for its monuments and museums like the great Acropolis , where many great temples were built in different eras. There are also the Agro , the arch of Haridan , the City of Eleusinion , Pnyx and more others.
The First Modern Olympics: The first modern Olympics were held in Athens in the year 1896 . French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin proposed that the ancient games should be revived on an international scale. That was the 23 rd of June in 1894. International sports leaders from nine nations including the United States and Russia gathered at the Sorbonne in Paris. The idea of Coubertin was accepted and the Modern Olympics were born. Two years later, the first Olympiad was held in Athens.
Tenth Anniversary of the Bombing
of the U.S. Embassy in
Dar es Salaam
Presentation (As prepared for delivery) byAmbassador John E. Lange.Venue: U.S. Embassy,Dar es Salaam
------------
"Thank you all for coming to this ceremony today,and particular thanks to Ambassador Green and his staff for organizing this event.It is a distinct pleasure for me to be back in Tanzania and to be with so many old friends and colleagues,even as we come together to commemorate such a sad occasion.For those of us who were here in Dar es Salaam on the day of the bombing, the tragedy stays with us.
I still remember that warm, sunny,peaceful day.That peace was shattered in an instant. And the horrific bombing is seared in the memories of anyone who was in Dar es Salaam on that day, as well as those who were in Nairobi.I know that everyone in this audience who went through that bombing can describe exactly what happened to them at that moment: 10:39 a.m. on Friday,August 7,1998.
As we meet today to pay homage to our colleagues,friends and family members who were killed or injured,I also think it is appropriate to reflect on the tremendous support provided to those who were in need.I am not here to present a comprehensive list of people and organizations to thank,but I believe it is important to recognize that the Government of Tanzania,the emergency and hospital services,the diplomatic corps,and many,many others immediately came to our aid. In particular,I remember standing outside of the Embassy,minutes after the bombing, when Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete,now His Excellency President Kikwete,came to offer his condolences and support.
I still remember the memorial service at Washington National Cathedral, held five weeks after the bombings,honoring the victims of the twin blasts.Attendees at the Cathedral included the President of the United States,the Vice President,and the Secretaries of State,Defense,and Health and Human Services.And the date of that memorial service now has a double meaning for us all: it was held on 9/11(September 11,1998).
In the best traditions of the U.S.Foreign Service,the Department of State, and the U.S. government,U.S.operations continue in newly built Embassies here and in Nairobi. The Department of State continues its large-scale program to improve security at all of our missions abroad.Sadly,since August 1998 there have been other deadly terrorist attacks in many parts of the world, and,I shudder to think,there may be more such attacks in the future.Several of the perpetrators of the August 7th attacks subsequently were brought to justice at a federal trial in New York City.
Dr.Susan Hirsch,an American Fulbright scholar whose husband, Jamal,was killed in the bombing while she herself was in the Embassy building,is with us here today.She has written a book entitled,In the Moment of Greatest Calamity Terrorism,Grief,and a Victim's Quest for Justice.I would like to thank Susan for her efforts and help as we all engage on that search for justice.Over the years,there have been ceremonies in Dar es Salaam,Nairobi,Washington, and elsewhere to commemorate the simultaneous attacks on two U.S.Embassies.Every such ceremony is a particularly emotional time for all of us who were part of that day of terror, trauma and tragedy.
A couple of years ago,I received an email from an American member of the Foreign Service now serving at another U.S.Embassy in Africa.“I do go to Dar,”she wrote“…and each visit is very emotional. I am not sure if I will get over it or if I even want to.The moment and place is a part of my life,so more than likely it will be with me forever.”
One of the Tanzanian Foreign Service National employees told me several months ago,“I don’t like to think about sad things,but rather share the positive things.The bombing brought us closer and made us stronger human beings.It made us realize how precious human life is.”And last week I received a message from another American Foreign Service Officer,
now retired,who will be attending the ceremony in Washington with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that will take place later today.“John,”he wrote,“I will be thinking [of] you and all of our friends and colleagues in the Dar Mission.
I deeply regret I won't physically be there to personally embrace each and everyone,especially those who suffered that tragic event.I wish I could be there to embrace the loved ones who lost their mothers,fathers,sisters,brothers and other relatives on that awful day.”On his behalf,I embrace you all.
Thank you again for coming.
This is a poignant day for all of us "
Embassy of The United State in Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
I still remember that warm, sunny,peaceful day.That peace was shattered in an instant. And the horrific bombing is seared in the memories of anyone who was in Dar es Salaam on that day, as well as those who were in Nairobi.I know that everyone in this audience who went through that bombing can describe exactly what happened to them at that moment: 10:39 a.m. on Friday,August 7,1998.
As we meet today to pay homage to our colleagues,friends and family members who were killed or injured,I also think it is appropriate to reflect on the tremendous support provided to those who were in need.I am not here to present a comprehensive list of people and organizations to thank,but I believe it is important to recognize that the Government of Tanzania,the emergency and hospital services,the diplomatic corps,and many,many others immediately came to our aid. In particular,I remember standing outside of the Embassy,minutes after the bombing, when Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete,now His Excellency President Kikwete,came to offer his condolences and support.
I still remember the memorial service at Washington National Cathedral, held five weeks after the bombings,honoring the victims of the twin blasts.Attendees at the Cathedral included the President of the United States,the Vice President,and the Secretaries of State,Defense,and Health and Human Services.And the date of that memorial service now has a double meaning for us all: it was held on 9/11(September 11,1998).
In the best traditions of the U.S.Foreign Service,the Department of State, and the U.S. government,U.S.operations continue in newly built Embassies here and in Nairobi. The Department of State continues its large-scale program to improve security at all of our missions abroad.Sadly,since August 1998 there have been other deadly terrorist attacks in many parts of the world, and,I shudder to think,there may be more such attacks in the future.Several of the perpetrators of the August 7th attacks subsequently were brought to justice at a federal trial in New York City.
Dr.Susan Hirsch,an American Fulbright scholar whose husband, Jamal,was killed in the bombing while she herself was in the Embassy building,is with us here today.She has written a book entitled,In the Moment of Greatest Calamity Terrorism,Grief,and a Victim's Quest for Justice.I would like to thank Susan for her efforts and help as we all engage on that search for justice.Over the years,there have been ceremonies in Dar es Salaam,Nairobi,Washington, and elsewhere to commemorate the simultaneous attacks on two U.S.Embassies.Every such ceremony is a particularly emotional time for all of us who were part of that day of terror, trauma and tragedy.
A couple of years ago,I received an email from an American member of the Foreign Service now serving at another U.S.Embassy in Africa.“I do go to Dar,”she wrote“…and each visit is very emotional. I am not sure if I will get over it or if I even want to.The moment and place is a part of my life,so more than likely it will be with me forever.”
One of the Tanzanian Foreign Service National employees told me several months ago,“I don’t like to think about sad things,but rather share the positive things.The bombing brought us closer and made us stronger human beings.It made us realize how precious human life is.”And last week I received a message from another American Foreign Service Officer,
now retired,who will be attending the ceremony in Washington with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that will take place later today.“John,”he wrote,“I will be thinking [of] you and all of our friends and colleagues in the Dar Mission.
I deeply regret I won't physically be there to personally embrace each and everyone,especially those who suffered that tragic event.I wish I could be there to embrace the loved ones who lost their mothers,fathers,sisters,brothers and other relatives on that awful day.”On his behalf,I embrace you all.
Thank you again for coming.
This is a poignant day for all of us "
Embassy of The United State in Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
