OTD: 25 July 1992 Opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Barcelona

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From 25 July 1992 till 9 August 1992 the Summer Olympic Games took place in Barcelona. These games are still considered as one of the most successful modern Olympics with more than 9.300
athletes and 169 countries participating. The opening ceremony took place on 25 July 1992 with a big show at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain. 



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.

Greek mezzo-soprano, Agnes Baltsa, sang "Romiossini" as the Olympic flag was taken around the stadium.  Alfredo Kraus later sang the Olympic Hymn in both Catalan and Spanish as the flag was hoisted. 

The Olympic flame cauldron was lit by a flaming arrow, shot by Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo. The arrow had been lit by the flame of the Olympic Torch. Rebollo overshot the cauldron as this was the original design of the lighting scheme.

There were two main musical themes for the 1992 Games. One was "Barcelona", composed five years earlier by Freddie Mercury   and sung as a duet with Montserrat Caballé. 

Due to Mercury's death eight months earlier, the duo was unable to perform the song during the opening ceremony. 

The towers of Barcelona during the clip of Queen


King Felipe of Spain then-Prince of Asturias was the designated flag bearer for the nation and was scheduled to compete in sailing.  Queen Sofía beamed with joy from the stands and even blew a kiss to her adored son when he paraded underneath the authorities’ box. 


In 2016, I could visit the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. It was an amazing place to stand there, where such athletes and even the royals have been. 


Interested in Barcelona and its history check these links: Barcelona Cathedral , Columbus Monument, Palau Nacional and last but not least the Sagrada Familia 

own pictures: taken in Barcelona in 2016

Location: Barcelona, Spanje

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