Olympic Anthem

The Olympic Hymn (Greek: Ολυμπιακός Ύμνος), also known informally as the Olympic Anthem, is a musical piece composed by Spyridon Samaras with words written from a poem of the Greek poet and writer Kostis Palamas. Both the poet and the composer were the choice of Demetrius Vikelas, a great Greek Pro-European and the first President of the IOC.

History

The anthem was performed for the first time for the ceremony of opening of the first edition at the 1896 Athens Olympic Games. In the following years every hosting nation commissioned to various musicians the composition of a specific Olympic hymn for their own edition of the games. This happened up to the edition at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.

The Anthem by Samaras and Palamas was declared the official Olympic Anthem by the International Olympic Committee in 1958 and it was performed again from the edition of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Languages in which Hymm was Performed

The hymn has been recorded and performed in many different languages, usually as a result of the hosting of either form of the Games in various countries.

English

• Lake Placid 1980
• Los Angeles 1984
• Atlanta 1996
• Sydney 2000 (closing ceremony only)
• Salt Lake 2002

French

• Grenoble 1968
• Montreal 1976
• Albertville 1992

German

• Innsbruck 1964
• Munich 1972

Italian

• Turin 2006
  • Note: A very abbreviated version of the Olympic Anthem was used at their opening and closing ceremonies.

Japanese

• Tokyo 1964
• Sapporo 1972
• Nagano 1998

Korean

• Seoul 1988

Norwegian

• Lillehammer 1994

Russian

• Moscow 1980

Serbo-Croatian

• Sarajevo 1984

Spanish

• Mexico City 1968
• Barcelona 1992
• Innsbruck 1976

Greek Performances

For the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the hymn was recorded and performed in Greek by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Sydney with the Sydney Symphony during the opening cermony, in recognition of the substantial Greek population of Australia. In addition to its appearance at Athens 2004, the decision was also made to use a Greek arrangement at the 1988 Winter Olympics at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At the Beijing 2008 the Greek version was sung also.

Known Performances at Olympic Meetings

The hymn was played in Moscow in 2001 prior to the announcement of the election of Jacques Rogge as IOC President. On many occasions the hymn has also featured before the announcement of the winning Olympic bid. One such example was in 2003 before Rogge announced Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as the city that would host the 2010 Winter Olympics, though on that occasion only the introduction was used. [1]

Lyrics

Original Greek	Transliterated into Latin alphabet
Αρχαίο Πνεύμα αθάνατο, αγνέ πατέρα του ωραίου, του μεγάλου και του αληθινού, Κατέβα, φανερώσου κι άστραψε εδώ πέρα στη δόξα της δικής σου γης και τ' ουρανού.   Στο δρόμο και στο πάλεμα και στο λιθάρι Στων ευγενών αγώνων λάμψε την ορμή Και με το αμάραντο στεφάνωσε κλωνάρι και σιδερένιο πλάσε και άξιο το κορμί. (δις)   Κάμποι, βουνά και θάλασσες φέγγουνε μαζί σου σαν ένας λευκοπόρφυρος μέγας ναός. Και τρέχει στο ναό εδώ προσκυνητής σου (δις) Αρχαίο Πνεύμα αθάνατο, κάθε λαός. (δις)	Arkhéo Pnévma athánato, aghné patéra tou oréou, tou meghálou ke tou alithinoú Katéva, fanerósou ki ástrapse edhó péra sti dhóksa tis dhikís sou ghis kai t'ouranoú.   Sto dhrómo ke sto pálema kai sto lithári Ston evghenón aghónon lámpse tin ormí. Ke me to amáranto stefánose klonári kai sidherénio pláse ke áksio to kormí. (twice)   Kámpi, vouná ke thálasses féngoune mazí sou san énas lefkopórfyros méghas naós Ke trékhi sto naó edhó proskynitís sou (twice) Arkhéo Pnévma athánato, káthe laós. (twice)
English translation (literal)	English translation (free)
O Ancient immortal Spirit, pure father Of beauty, of greatness and of truth, Descend, reveal yourself and flash like lightning here, within the glory of your own earth and sky.   At running and at wrestling and at throwing, Shine in the momentum of noble contests, And crown with the unfading branch And make the body worthy and ironlike. (twice)   Plains, mountains and seas glow with you Like a white-and-purple great temple, And hurries at the temple here, your pilgrim, (twice) O Ancient immortal Spirit, every nation. (twice)	Immortal spirit of antiquity Father of the true, beautiful and good Descend, appear, shed over us thy light Upon this ground and under this sky Which has first witnessed thy unperishable fame   Give life and animation to these noble games! Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the victors In the race and in the strife Create in our breasts, hearts of steel!   In thy light, plains, mountains and seas Shine in a roseate hue and form a vast temple To which all nations throng to adore thee Oh immortal spirit of antiquity!
English sung version
Olympian flame immortal Whose beacon lights our way Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope On this momentous day   As now we come across the world To share these Games of old Let all the flags of every land In brotherhood unfold   Sing out each nation, voices strong Rise up in harmony All hail our brave Olympians With strains of victory   Olympic light burn on and on O'er seas and mountains and plains Unite, inspire, bring honor To these ascending games	May valor reign victorious Along the path of golden way   As tomorrow's new champions now come forth Rising to the fervent spirit of the game Let splendour pervade each noble deed Crowned with glory and fame   And let fraternity and fellowship Surround the soul of every nation   Oh flame, eternal in your firmament so bright Illuminate us with your everlasting light That grace and beauty and magnificence   Shine like the sun Blazing above Bestow on us your honor, truth and love
Note: This version, although often performed at opening/closing ceremonies, appears to enjoy far less exposure than the original. Hence its words may be determined only by listening to performances; correspondents will most probably disagree on the correct form. An alternate ending to the lyrics (used at the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics) was, "Bestow on us the wondrous prize of honor, truth and love".

See also

• Olympic symbols
• 2007 Pan American Games

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