The Olympic flag’s five rings symbolize the five populated continents that send athletes to the games every two years.
The Olympics never fail to promote the sense of good sportsmanship and unity between countries, whose young athletes come together every two years to celebrate the pinnacle of physical perfection and athleticism. Yet the regal fanfare, the opening ceremony and the familiar symbols of the Olympic Games carry just as much importance in symbolizing the values of the Games.
The Olympic Hymn or Anthem, composed by Spyridon Samaras, is played when the Olympic flag is raised and has been the official hymn by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in 1957.
It is the “Bugler’s Dream” from Leo Arnaud’s Charge Suite that is the most widely recognized Olympic theme. Written in 1958, it has been used in the NBC and ABC broadcasts of the games since 1964.
John Williams composed his own “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He has written Olympic themes for several games since, but the “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” is still used in the network broadcast for the games. While not as widely known as Arnaud’s theme, it is still recognizable to the American public.
Want to learn how to play the Olympic anthems when you and your family and friends gather ’round to watch the games? Find piano lessons and piano instructors for all levels in NYC on HeyKiki.
Maddow follower, Stephen Fry devotee, Oscar Wilde junkie, Colbert Nation patriot, right-handed leftist, NYU sophomore and aspiring retiree. Three things I would want when stranded on a desert island: kindle, Starbucks barista, air guitar.
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