1906 Intercalated Games Opening Ceremony - Athens

The Second International Olympic Games in AthensIntercalated Games of 1906Athens, Greece

Panathinaiko Stadium hosts the 1906 Olympics

Olympic Ceremony Records
italics indicate records at the time

• First Illegitimate Modern Olympic Games
• First Parade of Nations (in alphabetical national order)

Opening CeremonyPanathinaiko Stadium (45,000)
Video
Official Report
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The Official Reports above detail the history about these Intercalated Games - officially known as the Second International Olympic Games.  These were subsequently demoted in later years, but at the time, they  were held at the same standard, if not higher as these were much more successful than Paris 1900 or St. Louis 1904.  These games also mark the first Olympic Closing ceremony where 6,000 children participated.

• 50,000 spectators attended (the stadium seating only 45,000)
• King George accompanied King Edward VII of England into the stadium.
• The first parade of nations parading behind their national flags
• Greece entered the stadium last as the host country
• After a short speech by the Organizing Committee President, the games were declared open by King George of Greece
• The Olympic Hymn by Samaras was performed by mass choir and mass orchestra
• The athletes cleared the field and the first events took place immediately following

During the week, and in the Closing Ceremony, several mass artistic demonstrations were performed including Cycling and Gymnastics as can be seen in the video.
Photos

Gold Medal from the 1906 Games

Opening Ceremony Parade of Nations

Olympic Program Cover