Unforgettable moments from the opening and closing ceremonies
While the Olympics have consistently delivered some of the most epic sports moments, they’ve also had a rich history of unforgettable musical performances. Through empowering anthems and unrivaled collaborations between some of the best artists in the world, many of the opening and closing ceremony performances have remained highlights of the Summer and Winter Olympics over the years. From London to Rio to Seoul, from Celine Dion to One Direction to Stevie Wonder, here are the best of the best.
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Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics (Opening Ceremony)
Image Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport/Getty Images In 2000, Olivia Newton-John teamed up with John Farnham for a performance of their inspirational duet “Dare to Dream” at the Sydney Summer Olympics. What they delivered was palpable chemistry.
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Alanis Morissette at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images For her performance of “Wunderkind” at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Alanis Morissette delivered a delicate version of the song from The Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack. While it perhaps wasn’t her most memorable, it was nothing short of emotive.
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One Direction at the 2012 London Summer Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images One Direction was at the peak of their popularity during their performance at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. During the closing ceremony, the five band members delivered an energetic rendition of their 2011 hit “What Makes You Beautiful” while showcasing their awkward dance moves on a moving truck.
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Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso and Anitta at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics (Opening Ceremony)
Image Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images In 2016, Anitta had the opportunity to perform in her hometown of Rio with singer-songwriter and activist-turned-politician Gilberto Gil and songwriter and musician Caetano Veloso at the Rio Summer Olympics. The trio brought a vibrant marching band and threw a samba fête at the Maracana Stadium as they teamed up for an electrifying collaboration of “Isso Aqui, O Que É?”
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Luciano Pavarotti at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics (Opening Ceremony)
Image Credit: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images There likely wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Luciano Pavarotti sang at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. Months before his cancer diagnosis, he delivered his final public performance during the opening ceremony, and the result was nothing short of chilling.
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Paul McCartney at the 2012 London Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images “Hey Jude” is always a crowd-pleaser, but Paul McCartney had the entire crowd singing along to the beloved Beatles classic when he performed during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. While it was standard fare for any McCartney’s concert, it was pretty epic to see the former Beatle on his home turf.
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KISS at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images In 2002, KISS rocked out at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. As they performed a blistering rendition of 1975’s “Rock and Roll All Nite,” figure skaters danced around them as fireworks lit up the Utah sky.
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Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Images/Getty Images The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics finale prompted an unlikely collaboration to happen — Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page. Together, the singer-songwriter and legendary guitarist performed the 1969 Led Zeppelin classic, “Whole Lotta Love” atop a faux London-to-Beijing bus that turned into a stage. Alongside Page’s heavy riffs, Lewis’ towering vocals are the star of the performance.
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k.d. lang at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (Opening Ceremony)
Image Credit: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images In 2010, k.d. lang delivered a stirring rendition of Leonard Cohen’s hymnal “Hallelujah” during the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. As lang’s hypnotic vocals echoed, the entire crowd seemed to sway with lighters in their hands.
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Kylie Minogue at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Pool JO SYDNEY 2000/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Just one year prior to releasing her eternal hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” Kylie Minogue delivered a charming cover of ABBA’s 1976 classic “Dancing Queen” at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. Clad in a hot pink showgirl costume, the pop icon demonstrated elite showmanship in her home country.
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Queen and Jessie J at the 2012 London Summer Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images In 2012, UK pop singer Jessie J performed with Queen and Freddie Mercury’s hologram at the opening ceremony of the London Summer Olympics. Together, they did a raucous version of the sports-stadium standard “We Will Rock You,” with J’s throaty belt stealing the show.
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Spice Girls at the 2012 London Summer Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images Spice Girls fans were treated to a pop spectacle when the band reunited at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. The Olympic Stadium turned into the streets of London as the pop group pulled up in individual taxis before they launched into lovably kitschy medley of “Wannabe” and “Spice Up Your Life.”
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Céline Dion at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics (Opening Ceremony)
Image Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Joined by David Foster on piano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Céline Dion performed the sweeping ballad “The Power of the Dream” at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. With Dion’s stunning soprano lilt, the David Foster, Linda Thompson and Babyface-penned song served as a true empowerment anthem ahead of the games. We’re hoping that we’ll get an encore at the 2024 Olympics.
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Stevie Wonder at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics (Closing Ceremony)
Image Credit: Barry Chin/The Boston Globe/Getty Images During the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Stevie Wonder delivered a tearful rendition of “Imagine” in honor of his late friend John Lennon. As if his performance couldn’t be any more striking, he was joined by a choir that elevated his bluesy spin on the idealistic anthem.
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Björk at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics (Opening Ceremony)
Image Credit: Steve Christo/Corbis/Getty Images Björk turned her performance at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics into art. The Icelandic artist appeared in a crystal-emblazoned dress made of 10,000 feet of fabric that swelled over the athletes in the crowd as she sang “Oceania,” which was co-written with the poet, Sigurjon Birgir Sigurdsson and crafted for the Games. As Björk metaphorically appeared as the ocean, she was joined by dancers posing as Greek Gods.
