Since the first Olympic games, held in Athens in 1896, the opening ceremony has grown in size and complexity into the dramatic, eye-popping and expensive show we know today.
During each Olympics, a part of the opening ceremony called the artistic program invites the host nation to showcase its culture through music, dance and even fireworks, according to the International Olympic Committee. Since the 1980 summer Olympics, held in Moscow, the opening ceremony has grown to feature everything from rocket men to live animals and the Queen of England parachuting out of a helicopter.
Host cities spend lavishly on these displays, outfitting thousands of performers in spectacular costumes. Suttirat Larlarb, the costume designer for 2012’s London Summer Olympics, spent two years creating costumes for the 10,000 performers. “I spend my day prepping and then we have these mass costume sittings in the evenings and on weekends,” she told TIME four years ago. “There are pretty much no days off.”
The details of the opening ceremony are kept secret until the day of the performance, so we won’t know what Rio has prepared until Friday’s event. This year, viewers at home with a Samsung Galaxy headset will be able to see the ceremony in virtual reality (VR) for the first time.
Moscow, 1980Russian dancers perform a folkloric dance with a human mosaic depicting birds in the background.Comitè International Olympique (CIO)Moscow, 1980Women dressed in Greek costumes form a procession in front of a human mosaic depicting the Kremlin.Comitè International Olympique (CIO)Los Angeles, 1984Bill Suitor hovers over the stadium by means of the Bell Aerosystems rocket pack.Steve Powell—Getty ImagesLos Angeles, 1984Actors perform the show, "Pioneer Spirit."Con Keyes—National Olympic Photographic PoolSeoul, 1988Performers dressed in traditional costumes wait for their cue. Comitè International Olympique (CIO)Seoul, 1988Dancers celebrate Korean culture.
Jean-Jacques Strahm—Comitè International Olympique (CIO)Barcelona, 1992Flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos rides a horse as she passes through dancers.Done Emmert—AFP/Getty ImagesBarcelona, 1992Costumed performers train for the opening ceremony at a rehearsal session in the Olympic stadium.AFP/Getty ImagesAtlanta, 1996Children dressed in white during the "Call to Nations" at the opening of the 100th Olympics.Simon Bruty—AllsportAtlanta, 1996Performers run to form the Olympic rings. Kishimoto—IOCSydney, 2000Performers dressed as pink petals step into formation to represent some of Australia's indigenous flowers.Billy Stickland—Allsport/Getty ImagesSydney, 2000A segment entitled "Awakening" celebrates Australia's aboriginal history.Jamie Squire—Getty ImagesAthens, 2004This opening ceremony presented Greece through a progression of performers dressed to represent different periods in Greek art.Jamie Squire—Getty ImagesAthens, 2004Women dressed to represent a period of Greek culture and art.Michael Steele—Getty ImagesBeijing, 2008Widely regarded to be the most spectacular opening ceremony, Beijing's performance was directed by filmmaker Zhang Yimou and focused on ancient Chinese culture and creativity. Richard Juillart—Comitè International Olympique (CIO)Beijing, 2008Dancers perform during a segment entitled "Glorious Era" that highlighted modern China.Ian Jones—Comitè International Olympique (CIO)London, 2012London's opening ceremony was also directed by a filmmaker, Danny Boyle. This segment, "Frankie & June Say...Thanks Tim," celebrates decades of British pop music from the '60s to present day.John Huet—Comitè International Olympique (CIO)London, 2012Women dressed in ornate suits during a rehearsal for "Isle of Wonder."John Huet—Comitè International Olympique (CIO)
