1988 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
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. It represented the end of Cold War and a peace that all people in the world wish. The Games were officially opened by President of the Republic of Korea Roh Tae-woo.
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 |
Filmed by | KBS, MBC and SORTO |
Footage | The ceremony on the IOC YouTube channel on YouTube |
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Ceremony
Parade of Nations
The flag bearers of 159 National Olympic Committees entered the stadium, ordered by the Korean alphabet, and behind them marched the athletes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeWSC7iCnpM
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.
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 Tienchai Sirisamphan, Miss Universe 1988 Porntip Nakhirunkanok
Japan - Prime Minister of Japan Noboru Takeshita and wife Noko Takeshita
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 Ahmad Dargahi
Gambia - Vice President Bakary Darbo, Foreign Minister Sey.O
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 Sufri Bolkiah
References