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During the Parade of Nations portion of the 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
The national team of Greece, as the host nation, entered the stadium last, breaking the tradition that the Greece national team enter first in every Olympic opening ceremony as a tribute for being the original host of both the Ancient and the Modern Olympic Games. However, in a nod to tradition, the Greek flag and flag bearer Pyrros Dimas entered at the beginning of the parade ahead of Saint Lucia, to avoid breaking the tradition entirely. Dimas also led the Greece national team when they entered last. Following tradition, other countries entered the stadium in name order in the language of the host country (Greece), which in this case is Modern Greek.
Kiribati and Timor-Leste competed for the first time at these Olympic Games, whereas Afghanistan returned from its eight-year absence after the national Olympic committee had been suspended under the Taliban regime since 1999. [1] [2]
Announcers in the stadium read off the names of the marching nations in Greek, French, and English (the official languages of the host country and of the Olympics, respectively) with the music, performed and played by Dutch musician Tiësto, accompanying the athletes as they marched into the stadium.
Whilst most countries entered under their short names, a few entered under more formal or alternative names, mostly due to political and naming disputes. The Republic of Macedonia entered as the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'" ("Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας") under Π because of the naming dispute with Greece. The Republic of China (commonly known as Taiwan) entered with the compromised name and flag of "Chinese Taipei" ("Κινεζικη Ταϊπεϊ") under Τ so that they did not enter together with conflicting People's Republic of China (commonly known as China), which entered as the "People's Republic of China" ("Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία της Κίνας") under Κ. The Republic of the Congo entered as just "Congo" (Κονγκό), while the Democratic Republic of the Congo entered with its full name, "Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία του Κονγκό" under Δ. The British Virgin Islands ("Βρετανικές Παρθένοι Νήσοι") entered under Β while the United States Virgin Islands entered as simply the "Virgin Islands" ("Παρθένοι Νήσοι"), under Π. Additionally, Ivory Coast, the United States, Iran, Laos, Libya, Russia, Syria and Hong Kong all entered under their formal names, respectively "Côte d'Ivoire", the "United States of America", "Islamic Republic of Iran", "Lao People's Democratic Republic", "Libyan Arab Jamahiriya", "Russian Federation", "Syrian Arab Republic" and "Hong Kong, China".
Notable flag bearers in the opening ceremony featured the following athletes: triple Grand Slam champion and tennis player Roger Federer (Switzerland), NBA basketball player Yao Ming (People's Republic of China), six-time Olympians and Star sailors Colin Beashel (Australia) and Torben Grael (Brazil), triple Olympic weightlifting champion Pyrros Dimas (Greece), show jumper Ludger Beerbaum (Germany), two-time Olympic sprint freestyle champion Alexander Popov (Russia), four-time rowing champion Elisabeta Lipă (Romania), decathlon champion Erki Nool (Estonia), and rings gymnast Jury Chechi (Italy). [3]
The following is a list of each country's announced flag bearer. The list is sorted by the order in which each nation appears in the parade of nations. The names are given in their official designations by the IOC. [3] [4]
| Order | Nation | Greek | Roman transliteration | Flag bearer | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Saint Lucia (LCA) | Αγία Λουκία | Agía Loukía | Zepherinus Joseph | Athletics |
| 2 |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN) | Άγιος Βικέντιος και Γρεναδίνες | Ágios Vikéndios kai Grenadínes | Natasha Mayers | Athletics |
| 3 |  San Marino (SMR) | Άγιος Μαρίνος | Ágios Marínos | Diego Mularoni | Swimming |
| 4 |  Angola (ANG) | Αγκόλα | Angóla | Angelo Victoriano | Basketball |
| 5 |  Azerbaijan (AZE) | Αζερμπαϊτζάν | Azerbaïtzán | Nizami Pashayev | Weightlifting |
| 6 |  Egypt (EGY) | Αίγυπτος | Aígyptos | Ali Ibrahim | Rowing |
| 7 |  Ethiopia (ETH) | Αιθιοπία | Aithiopía | Abel Aferalign | Boxing |
| 8 |  Haiti (HAI) | Αϊτή | Aïtí | Tudor Sanon | Taekwondo |
| 9 |  Cape Verde (CPV) | Πράσινο Ακρωτήριο | Prásino Akrotírio | Wania Monteiro | Gymnastics |
| 10 |  Côte d'Ivoire (CIV) | Ακτή Ελεφαντοστού | Aktí Elefandostoú | Mariam Bah | Taekwondo |
| 11 |  Albania (ALB) | Αλβανία | Alvanía | Klodiana Shala | Athletics |
| 12 |  Algeria (ALG) | Αλγερία | Algería | Djabir Saïd-Guerni | Athletics |
| 13 |  American Samoa (ASA) | Αμερικανικές Σαμόα | Amerikanikés Samóa | Lisa Misipeka | Athletics |
| 14 |  Andorra (AND) | Ανδόρρα | Andórra | Hocine Haciane | Swimming |
| 15 |  Antigua and Barbuda (ANT) | Αντίγκουα και Μπαρμπούντα | Antígoua kai Barboúda | Daniel Bailey | Athletics |
| 16 |  Argentina (ARG) | Αργεντινή | Argentiní | Carlos Espínola | Sailing |
| 17 |  Armenia (ARM) | Αρμενία | Armenía | Albert Azaryan | Gymnastics (head coach) |
| 18 |  Aruba (ARU) | Αρούμπα | Aroúba | Roshendra Vrolijk | Swimming |
| 19 |  Australia (AUS) | Αυστραλία | Afstralía | Colin Beashel | Sailing |
| 20 |  Austria (AUT) | Αυστρία | Afstría | Roman Hagara | Sailing |
| 21 |  Afghanistan (AFG) | Αφγανιστάν | Afganistán | Neema Suratgar | Non-participant (coach) |
| 22 |  Vanuatu (VAN) | Βανουάτου | Vanouátou | Moses Kamut | Athletics |
| 23 |  Belgium (BEL) | Βέλγιο | Vélgio | Jean-Michel Saive | Table tennis |
| 24 |  Venezuela (VEN) | Βενεζουέλα | Venezouéla | Julio Luna | Weightlifting |
| 25 |  Bermuda (BER) | Βερμούδες | Vermoúdes | Peter Bromby | Sailing |
| 26 |  Vietnam (VIE) | Βιετνάμ | Vietnám | Bui Thi Nhung | Athletics |
| 27 |  Bolivia (BOL) | Βολιβία | Volivía | Geovana Irusta | Athletics |
| 28 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) | Βοσνία-Ερζεγοβίνη | Vosnía-Erzegovíni | Nedžad Fazlija | Shooting |
| 29 |  Bulgaria (BUL) | Βουλγαρία | Voulgaría | Mariya Grozdeva | Shooting |
| 30 |  Brazil (BRA) | Βραζιλία | Vrazilía | Torben Grael | Sailing |
| 31 |  British Virgin Islands (IVB) | Βρετανικές Παρθένοι Νήσοι | Vretanikés Parthénoi Nísoi | Dion Crabbe | Athletics |
| 32 |  France (FRA) | Γαλλία | Gallía | Jackson Richardson | Handball |
| 33 |  Germany (GER) | Γερμανία | Germanía | Ludger Beerbaum | Equestrian |
| 34 |  Georgia (GEO) | Γεωργία | Georgía | Zurab Zviadauri | Judo |
| 35 |  Gambia (GAM) | Γκάμπια | Gámbia | Jaysuma Saidy Ndure | Athletics |
| 36 |  Gabon (GAB) | Γκαμπόν | Gabón | Mélanie Engoang | Judo |
| 37 |  Ghana (GHA) | Γκάνα | Gána | Andrew Owusu | Athletics |
| 38 |  Guam (GUM) | Γκουάμ | Gouám | Jeffrey Cobb | Wrestling |
| 39 |  Guatemala (GUA) | Γουατεμάλα | Gouatemála | Gisela Morales | Swimming |
| 40 |  Guyana (GUY) | Γουιάνα | Gouiána | Aliann Pompey | Athletics |
| 41 |  Guinea (GUI) | Γουινέα | Gouinéa | Nabie Foday Fofanah | Athletics |
| 42 |  Guinea-Bissau (GBS) | Γουινέα-Μπισσάου | Gouinéa-Bissáou | Leopoldina Ross | Wrestling |
| 43 |  Grenada (GRN) | Γρενάδα | Grenáda | Alleyne Francique | Athletics |
| 44 |  Denmark (DEN) | Δανία | Danía | Eskild Ebbesen | Rowing |
| 45 |  Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD) | Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία του Κονγκό | Laïkí Dimokratía tou Kongó | Gary Kikaya | Athletics |
| 46 |  Dominica (DMA) | Δομίνικα | Domínika | Chris Lloyd | Athletics |
| 47 |  Dominican Republic (DOM) | Δομινικανή Δημοκρατία | Dominikaní Dimokratía | Francia Jackson | Volleyball |
| 48 |  El Salvador (ESA) | Ελ Σαλβαδόρ | El Salvadór | Evelyn García | Cycling |
| 49 |  Switzerland (SUI) | Ελβετία | Elvetía | Roger Federer | Tennis |
| 50 |  Eritrea (ERI) | Ερυθραία | Erythraía | Yonas Kifle | Athletics |
| 51 |  Estonia (EST) | Εσθονία | Esthonía | Erki Nool | Athletics |
| 52 |  Zambia (ZAM) | Ζάμπια | Zámbia | Davis Mwale | Boxing |
| 53 |  Zimbabwe (ZIM) | Ζιμπάμπουε | Zimbáboue | Young Talkmore Nyongani | Athletics |
| 54 |  United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Ηνωμένα Αραβικά Εμιράτα | Inoména Araviká Emiráta | Saeed Al Maktoum | Shooting |
| 55 |  United States of America (USA) | Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής | Inoménes Politeíes Amerikís | Dawn Staley | Basketball |
| 56 |  Japan (JPN) | Ιαπωνία | Iaponía | Kyoko Hamaguchi | Wrestling |
| 57 |  India (IND) | Ινδία | Indía | Anju Bobby George | Athletics |
| 58 |  Indonesia (INA) | Ινδονησία | Indonisía | Christian Hadinata | Badminton (coach) [5] [6] |
| 59 |  Jordan (JOR) | Ιορδανία | Iordanía | Khalil Al Hanahneh | Athletics |
| 60 |  Iraq (IRQ) | Ιράκ | Irák | Hadir Lazame | Judo |
| 61 |  Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) | Ισλαμική Δημοκρατία του Ιράν | Islamikí Dimokratía tou Irán | Arash Miresmaeli | Judo |
| 62 |  Ireland (IRL) | Ιρλανδία | Irlandía | Niall Griffin | Equestrian |
| 63 |  Equatorial Guinea (GEQ) | Ισημερινή Γουινέα | Isimeriní Gouinéa | Emilia Mikue Ondo | Athletics |
| 64 |  Ecuador (ECU) | Ισημερινός | Isimerinós | Alexandra Escobar | Weightlifting |
| 65 |  Iceland (ISL) | Ισλανδία | Islandía | Gudmundur Hrafnkelsson | Handball |
| 66 |  Spain (ESP) | Ισπανία | Ispanía | Isabel Fernández | Judo |
| 67 |  Israel (ISR) | Ισραήλ | Israíl | Ariel Ze'evi | Judo |
| 68 |  Italy (ITA) | Ιταλία | Italía | Jury Chechi | Gymnastics |
| 69 |  Kazakhstan (KAZ) | Καζακστάν | Kazakstán | Askhat Zhitkeyev | Judo |
| 70 |  Cameroon (CMR) | Καμερούν | Kameroún | Vencelas Dabaya | Weightlifting |
| 71 |  Cambodia (CAM) | Καμπότζη | Kambótzi | Hem Kiri | Swimming |
| 72 |  Canada (CAN) | Καναδάς | Kanadás | Nicolas Gill | Judo |
| 73 |  Qatar (QAT) | Κατάρ | Katár | Khaled Habash Al-Suwaidi | Athletics |
| 74 |  Cayman Islands (CAY) | Νήσοι Καϋμάν | Nísoi Kaÿmán | Cydonie Mothersille | Athletics |
| 75 |  Central African Republic (CAF) | Κεντροαφρικανική Δημοκρατία | Kendroafrikanikí Dimokratía | Ernest Ndjissipou | Athletics |
| 76 |  Kenya (KEN) | Κένυα | Kénya | Violet Barasa | Volleyball |
| 77 |  People's Republic of China (CHN) | Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία της Κίνας | Laïkí Dimokratía tis Kínas | Yao Ming | Basketball |
| 78 |  Kyrgyzstan (KGZ) | Κιργιζιστάν | Kirgizistán | Mital Sharipov | Weightlifting |
| 79 |  Kiribati (KIR) | Κιριμπάτι | Kiribáti | Meamea Thomas | Weightlifting |
| 80 |  Colombia (COL) | Κολομβία | Kolomvía | Carmenza Delgado | Weightlifting |
| 81 |  Comoros (COM) | Κομόρες | Komóres | Hadhari Djaffar | Athletics |
| 82 |  Congo (CGO) | Κονγκό | Kongó | Rony Bakale | Swimming |
| 83 |  Korea (North) (PRK) [7] | Λαοκρατική Δημοκρατία της Κορέας | Laokratikí Dimokratía tis Koréas | Kim Song-ho | Non-participant (NOC official) |
| 84 | Korea (South) (KOR) [7] | Κορέα | Koréa | Ku Min-jung | Volleyball |
| 85 |  Costa Rica (CRC) | Κόστα Ρίκα | Kósta Ríka | David Fernández | Judo |
| 86 |  Cuba (CUB) | Κούβα | Koúva | Iván Pedroso | Athletics |
| 87 |  Kuwait (KUW) | Κουβέιτ | Kouvéit | Fehaid Al-Deehani | Shooting |
| 88 |  Cook Islands (COK) | Νήσοι Κουκ | Nísoi Kouk | Sam Nunuke Pera | Weightlifting |
| 89 |  Croatia (CRO) | Κροατία | Kroatía | Dubravko Šimenc | Water polo |
| 90 |  Cyprus (CYP) | Κύπρος | Kýpros | Georgios Achilleos | Shooting |
| 91 |  Lao People's Democratic Republic (LAO) | Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία του Λάος | Laïkí Dimokratía tou Láos | Chamleunesouk Ao Oudomphonh | Athletics |
| 92 |  Lesotho (LES) | Λεσόθο | Lesótho | Lineo Mochesane | Taekwondo |
| 93 |  Latvia (LAT) | Λεττονία | Lettonía | Vadims Vasiļevskis | Athletics |
| 94 |  Belarus (BLR) | Λευκορωσία | Lefkorosía | Alexander Medved | Wrestling |
| 95 |  Lebanon (LIB) | Λίβανος | Lívanos | Jean Claude Rabbath | Athletics |
| 96 |  Liberia (LBR) | Λιβερία | Livería | Christopher Sayeh [8] | Non-participant |
| 97 |  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (LBA) | Λιβυκή Αραβική Τζαμαχαρία | Livykí Aravikí Tzamacharía | Mohamed Eshtiwi | Weightlifting |
| 98 |  Lithuania (LTU) | Λιθουανία | Lithouanía | Saulius Štombergas | Basketball |
| 99 |  Liechtenstein (LIE) | Λιχτενστάιν | Lichtenstáin | Oliver Geissmann | Shooting |
| 100 |  Luxembourg (LUX) | Λουξεμβούργο | Louxemvoúrgo | Claudine Schaul | Tennis |
| 101 |  Madagascar (MAD) | Μαδαγασκάρη | Madagaskári | Rosa Rakotozafy | Athletics |
| 102 |  Malaysia (MAS) | Μαλαισία | Malaisía | Bryan Nickson Lomas | Diving |
| 103 |  Malawi (MAW) | Μαλάουι | Maláoui | Kondwani Chiwina | Athletics |
| 104 |  Maldives (MDV) | Μαλδίβες | Maldíves | Sultan Saeed | Athletics |
| 105 |  Mali (MLI) | Μαλί | Malí | Kadiatou Camara | Athletics |
| 106 |  Malta (MLT) | Μάλτα | Málta | William Chetcuti | Shooting |
| 107 |  Morocco (MAR) | Μαρόκο | Maróko | Nezha Bidouane | Athletics |
| 108 |  Mauritius (MRI) | Μαυρίκιος | Mavríkios | Michael Medor | Boxing |
| 109 |  Mauritania (MTN) | Μαυριτανία | Mavritanía | Youba Hmeida | Athletics |
| 110 |  Great Britain (GBR) | Μεγάλη Βρετανία | Megáli Vretanía | Kate Howey | Judo |
| 111 |  Mexico (MEX) | Μεξικό | Mexikó | Fernando Platas | Diving |
| 112 |  Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) | Ομόσπονδες Πολιτείες της Μικρονησίας | Omóspondes Politeíes tis Mikronisías | Manuel Minginfel | Weightlifting |
| 113 |  Mongolia (MGL) | Μογγολία | Mongolía | Damdinsürengiin Nyamkhüü | Judo |
| 114 |  Mozambique (MOZ) | Μοζαμβίκη | Mozamvíki | Kurt Couto | Athletics |
| 115 |  Republic of Moldova (MDA) | Μολδαβία | Moldavía | Oleg Moldovan | Shooting |
| 116 |  Monaco (MON) | Μονακό | Monakó | Sébastien Gattuso | Athletics |
| 117 |  Bangladesh (BAN) | Μπαγκλαντές | Bangladés | Asif Hossain Khan | Shooting |
| 118 |  Barbados (BAR) | Μπαρμπάντος | Barbádos | Michael Maskell | Shooting |
| 119 |  Bahamas (BAH) | Μπαχάμες | Bachámes | Debbie Ferguson | Athletics |
| 120 |  Bahrain (BRN) | Μπαχρέιν | Bachréin | Ahmed Hamada Jassim | Athletics |
| 121 |  Belize (BIZ) | Μπελίζε | Belíze | Emma Wade | Athletics |
| 122 |  Benin (BEN) | Μπενίν | Benín | Fabienne Feraez | Athletics |
| 123 |  Botswana (BOT) | Μποτσουάνα | Botsouána | Khumiso Ikgopoleng | Boxing |
| 124 |  Burkina Faso (BUR) | Μπουρκίνα Φάσο | Bourkína Fáso | Mamadou Ouedraogo | Swimming |
| 125 |  Burundi (BDI) | Μπουρούντι | Bouroúndi | Emery Nziyunvira | Swimming |
| 126 |  Bhutan (BHU) | Μπουτάν | Boután | Tshering Chhoden | Archery |
| 127 |  Brunei Darussalam (BRU) | Μπρουνέι | Brounéi | Jimmy Anak Ahar | Athletics |
| 128 |  Myanmar (MYA) | Μυανμάρ | Myanmár | U Hla Win | Weightlifting (coach) |
| 129 |  Namibia (NAM) | Ναμίμπια | Namíbia | Paulus Ambunda | Boxing |
| 130 |  Nauru (NRU) | Ναουρού | Naouroú | Yukio Peter | Weightlifting |
| 131 |  New Zealand (NZL) | Νέα Ζηλανδία | Néa Zilandía | Beatrice Faumuina | Athletics |
| 132 |  Nepal (NEP) | Νεπάλ | Nepál | Rajendra Bahadur Bhandari | Athletics |
| 133 |  Niger (NIG) | Νίγηρας | Nígiras | Abdou Alassane Dji Bo | Judo |
| 134 |  Nigeria (NGR) | Νιγηρία | Nigiría | Mary Onyali-Omagbemi | Athletics |
| 135 |  Nicaragua (NCA) | Νικαράγουα | Nikarágoua | Svitlana Kashchenko | Shooting |
| 136 |  Norway (NOR) | Νορβηγία | Norvigía | Harald Stenvaag | Shooting |
| 137 |  South Africa (RSA) | Νότιος Αφρική | Nótios Afrikí | Mbulaeni Mulaudzi | Athletics |
| 138 |  Netherlands (NED) | Ολλανδία | Ollandía | Mark Huizinga | Judo |
| 139 |  Netherlands Antilles (AHO) | Ολλανδικές Αντίλλες | Ollandikés Antílles | Churandy Martina | Athletics |
| 140 |  Oman (OMA) | Ομάν | Omán | Hamoud Abdallah Al-Dalhami | Athletics |
| 141 |  Honduras (HON) | Ονδούρα | Ondoúra | Iizzwa Medina | Table tennis |
| 142 |  Hungary (HUN) | Ουγγαρία | Oungaría | Antal Kovács | Judo |
| 143 |  Uganda (UGA) | Ουγκάντα | Ougánda | Joseph Lubega | Boxing |
| 144 |  Uzbekistan (UZB) | Ουζμπεκιστάν | Ouzbekistán | Abdullo Tangriev | Judo |
| 145 |  Ukraine (UKR) | Ουκρανία | Oukranía | Denys Sylantyev | Swimming |
| 146 |  Uruguay (URU) | Ουρουγουάη | Ourougouái | Serrana Fernández | Swimming |
| 147 |  Pakistan (PAK) | Πακιστάν | Pakistán | Mohammad Nadeem | Field hockey |
| 148 |  Palestine (PLE) | Παλαιστίνη | Palaistíni | Sanna Abubkheet | Athletics |
| 149 |  Palau (PLW) | Παλάου | Paláou | John Tarkong | Wrestling |
| 150 |  Panama (PAN) | Παναμάς | Panamás | Eileen Coparropa | Swimming |
| 151 |  Papua New Guinea (PNG) | Παπούα-Νέα Γουινέα | Papoúa-Néa Gouinéa | Dika Toua | Weightlifting |
| 152 |  Paraguay (PAR) | Παραγουάη | Paragouái | Rocio Rivarola | Rowing |
| 153 |  Virgin Islands (ISV) | Παρθένοι Νήσοι | Parthénoi Nísoi | La Verne Jones | Athletics |
| 154 |  Peru (PER) | Περού | Peroú | Francisco Boza | Shooting |
| 155 |  Poland (POL) | Πολωνία | Polonía | Bartosz Kizierowski | Swimming |
| 156 |  Portugal (POR) | Πορτογαλία | Portogalía | Nuno Delgado | Judo |
| 157 |  Puerto Rico (PUR) | Πουέρτο Ρίκο | Pouérto Ríko | Carlos Arroyo | Basketball |
| 158 |  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) | Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας | Próin Giougoslavikí Dimokratía tis Makedonías | Blagoja Georgievski | Basketball (referee) |
| 159 |  Rwanda (RWA) | Ρουάντα | Rouánda | Mathias Ntawulikura | Athletics |
| 160 |  Romania (ROU) | Ρουμανία | Roumanía | Elisabeta Lipă | Rowing |
| 161 |  Russian Federation (RUS) | Ρωσική Ομοσπονδία | Rosikí Omospondia | Alexander Popov | Swimming |
| 162 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) | Σαιντ Κιτς και Νέβις | Saint Kits kai Névis | Kim Collins | Athletics |
| 163 |  Samoa (SAM) | Σαμόα | Samóa | Uati Maposua | Weightlifting |
| 164 |  São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) | Σάο Τομέ και Πρίνσιπε | Sáo Tomé kai Prínsipe | Fumilay Fonseca | Athletics |
| 165 |  Saudi Arabia (KSA) | Σαουδική Αραβία | Saoudikí Aravía | Hadi Soua An Al Somaily | Athletics |
| 166 |  Senegal (SEN) | Σενεγάλη | Senegáli | Malick Fall | Swimming |
| 167 |  Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) | Σερβία και Μαυροβούνιο | Servía kai Mavrovoúnio | Dejan Bodiroga | Basketball |
| 168 |  Seychelles (SEY) | Σεϋχέλλες | Seÿchélles | Allan Julie | Sailing |
| 169 |  Singapore (SIN) | Σιγκαπούρη | Singapoúri | Ronald Susilo | Badminton |
| 170 |  Sierra Leone (SLE) | Σιέρρα Λεόνε | Siérra Leóne | Hawanatu Bangura | Athletics |
| 171 |  Slovakia (SVK) | Σλοβακία | Slovakía | Michal Martikán | Canoeing |
| 172 |  Slovenia (SLO) | Σλοβενία | Slovenía | Beno Lapajne | Handball |
| 173 |  Solomon Islands (SOL) | Νήσοι Σολομώντος | Nísoi Solomóndos | Francis Manioru | Athletics |
| 174 |  Somalia (SOM) | Σομαλία | Somalía | Mohamed Ahmed Alim | Non-participant (head coach) |
| 175 |  Swaziland (SWZ) | Σουαζιλάνδη | Souazilándi | Gcinile Moyane | Athletics |
| 176 |  Sudan (SUD) | Σουδάν | Soudán | Todd Matthews Jouda | Athletics |
| 177 |  Sweden (SWE) | Σουηδία | Souidía | Lars Frölander | Swimming |
| 178 |  Suriname (SUR) | Σουρινάμ | Sourinám | Letitia Vriesde | Athletics |
| 179 |  Sri Lanka (SRI) | Σρι Λάνκα | Sri Lánka | Susanthika Jayasinghe | Athletics |
| 180 |  Syrian Arab Republic (SYR) | Αραβική Δημοκρατία της Συρίας | Aravikí Dimokratía tis Syrías | Mohammad Hazzory | Athletics |
| 181 |  Chinese Taipei (TPE) | Κινεζική Ταϊπέι | Kinezikí Taïpéi | Chen Chih-yuan | Baseball |
| 182 |  United Republic of Tanzania (TAN) | Τανζανία | Tanzanía | Restituta Joseph | Athletics |
| 183 |  Tajikistan (TJK) | Τατζικιστάν | Tatzikistán | Nargis Nabieva | Archery |
| 184 |  Thailand (THA) | Ταϊλάνδη | Tailándi | Paradorn Srichaphan | Tennis |
| 185 |  Jamaica (JAM) | Τζαμάικα | Tzamáika | Sandie Richards | Athletics |
| 186 |  Djibouti (DJI) | Τζιμπουτί | Tziboutí | Zeinab Mohamed Khaireh | Non-participant |
| 187 |  Timor-Leste (TLS) | Ανατολικό Τιμόρ | Anatolikó Timór | Agueda Amaral | Athletics |
| 188 |  Tonga (TGA) | Τόγκα | Tónga | Ma'afu Hawke | Boxing |
| 189 |  Togo (TOG) | Τόγκο | Tógo | Jan Sekpona | Athletics |
| 190 |  Turkey (TUR) | Τουρκία | Tourkía | Ali Enver Adakan | Sailing |
| 191 |  Turkmenistan (TKM) | Τουρκμενιστάν | Tourkmenistán | Shohrat Kurbanov | Boxing |
| 192 |  Trinidad and Tobago (TRI) | Τρινιντάντ και Τομπάγκο | Trinidád kai Tobágo | Ato Boldon | Athletics |
| 193 |  Chad (CHA) | Τσαντ | Tsad | Kaltouma Nadjina | Athletics |
| 194 |  Czech Republic (CZE) | Δημοκρατία της Τσεχίας | Dimokratía tis Tsechías | Květoslav Svoboda | Swimming |
| 195 |  Tunisia (TUN) | Τυνησία | Tynisía | Noureddine Hfaiedh | Volleyball |
| 196 |  Yemen (YEM) | Υεμένη | Yeméni | Akram Abdullah | Taekwondo |
| 197 |  Philippines (PHI) | Φιλιππίνες | Filippínes | Romeo Brin [9] [10] | Boxing |
| 198 |  Finland (FIN) | Φινλανδία | Finlandía | Thomas Johanson | Sailing |
| 199 |  Fiji (FIJ) | Φίτζι | Fítzi | Sisilia Nasiga | Judo |
| 200 |  Chile (CHI) | Χιλή | Chilí | Kristel Köbrich | Swimming |
| 201 |  Hong Kong, China (HKG) | Χονγκ Κονγκ, Κίνα | Chong Kong, Kína | Sherry Tsai | Swimming |
| 202 |  Greece (GRE) | Ελλάς | Ellás | Pyrros Dimas | Weightlifting |
Pyrros Dimas is a Greek politician and former weightlifter. He is currently the technical director for USA Weightlifting, having taken that position in June 2017. Dimas has also been involved in politics as a member of the Hellenic Parliament, representing the Panhellenic Socialist Movement from 2012 to 2015.
The opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics was held on August 13, 2004 starting at 20:45 EEST (UTC+3) at the Olympic Stadium in Marousi, Greece, a suburb of Athens. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings combined the formal and ceremonial opening of this international sporting event, including welcoming speeches, hoisting of the flags and the parade of athletes, with an artistic spectacle to showcase the host nation's culture and history. 72,000 spectators attended the event, with approximately 15,000 athletes from 202 countries participating in the ceremony as well. It marked the first-ever international broadcast of high-definition television, undertaken by the U.S. media conglomerate NBC Universal and the Japanese broadcaster NHK. The Games were officially opened by President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Stephanopoulos at 23:46 EEST (UTC+3).
During the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, athletes from each participating country paraded in the stadium, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Paralympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country. It is considered a great honour to bear the country's flag in the Parade of Nations.
The Olympic Games ceremonies of the ancient Olympic Games were an integral part of the games; modern Olympic Games have opening, closing, and medal ceremonies. Some of the elements of the modern ceremonies date back to the ancient games from which the modern Olympics draw their ancestry. An example of this is the prominence of Greece in both the opening and closing ceremonies. During the 2004 Summer Olympics, the medal winners received a crown of olive branches, which was a direct reference to the ancient games, in which the victor's prize was an olive wreath. The various elements of ceremonies are mandated by the Olympic Charter, and cannot be changed by the host nation. Host nations are required to seek the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for ceremony elements, including the artistic portions of the opening and closing ceremonies.
The closing ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics was held on 29 August 2004 21:15 EEST (UTC+3) at the Olympic Stadium, in Marousi, Greece, a suburb of Athens.
During the Parade of Nations portion of the 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the Parade of Nations portion of the 1988 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations of the 2012 London Olympics, athletes and officials from each participating country paraded into the Olympic Stadium preceded by their national flag to the sound of iconic British modern music. Each flag bearer was chosen by each nation's National Olympic Committee or by the delegation of athletes.
The flag bearers of 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) arrived into the main Olympic Stadium, during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing on 24 August 2008. The flag bearers from each participating country entered the stadium informally in single file, and behind them marched all the athletes without any distinction or grouping by nationality. The blending of all the athletes is a tradition that dates from the 1956 Summer Olympics, after a suggestion by Australian-born British student John Ian Wing, who thought it would be a way of bringing the athletes of the world together as "one nation." The flags of each country were not necessarily carried by the same flag bearer as in the opening ceremony.
During the parade of nations portion of the 1980 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the Parade of Nations section of the 1972 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the Parade of Nations portion of the 1992 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the Parade of Nations portion of the 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the parade of nations portion of the 1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the parade of nations section of the 1976 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from his or her respective country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
During the 2018 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations at the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, beginning at 20:00 KST (UTC+9) on 9 February 2018, athletes bearing the flags of their respective nations led their national delegations as they paraded into the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in the host city of Pyeongchang, South Korea. 92 teams qualified to compete.
During the 2018 Winter Paralympics Parade of Nations at the 2018 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony, beginning at 20:00 KST (UTC+9) on 9 March 2018, athletes bearing the flags of their respective nations led their national delegations as they paraded into the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in the host city of Pyeongchang, South Korea.
During the Parade of Nations within the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 4, athletes and officials from each participating country marched in the Beijing National Stadium preceded by their flag and placard bearer bearing the respective country's name. Each flag bearer was chosen either by the nation's National Olympic Committee or by the team of athletes themselves.
During the closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China the flag bearers of 91 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) arrived into Beijing National Stadium on February 20. The flag bearers from each participating country entered the stadium informally in single file, and behind them marched all the athletes. The flags of each country were not necessarily carried by the same flag bearer as in the opening ceremony.
During the opening ceremony of the 1928 Summer Olympics, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded into the arena. As Olympic tradition dictates, most participating nations paraded in the alphabetical order of the language of the host country, except Greece, who enters first at the founding nation of the Olympics, and the host country who enters last.
 Olympic Games national flag bearers by year | |
|---|---|
| Summer Olympics | |
| Winter Olympics | |
| Intercalated Games | |
| Summer Youth Olympics | |
| Winter Youth Olympics | |