2004 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations

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.

Parade order

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. The parade of nations also featured a unified entrance by the athletes of the North and South Korea, holding a specially designed unification flag bearing the name "Korea" (Κορέα): a white background flag with a blue map of the Korean peninsula; however, the two teams competed separately.

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).

List

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.

This table is sortable by country name (in Greek), the flag bearer's name, and the flag bearer's sport.
Order Nation Greek Roman transliteration Flag bearer Sport
1  Saint Lucia Αγία Λουκία Agía Loukía Zepherinus Joseph Athletics
2  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Άγιος Βικέντιος και Γρεναδίνες Ágios Vikéndios kai Grenadínes Natasha Mayers Athletics
3  San Marino Άγιος Μαρίνος Ágios Marínos Diego Mularoni Swimming
4  Angola Αγκόλα Angóla Angelo Victoriano Basketball
5  Azerbaijan Αζερμπαϊτζάν Azerbaïtzán Nizami Pashayev Weightlifting
6  Egypt Αίγυπτος Aígyptos Ali Ibrahim Rowing
7  Ethiopia Αιθιοπία Aithiopía Abel Aferalign Boxing
8  Haiti Αϊτή Aïtí Tudor Sanon Taekwondo
9  Cape Verde Πράσινο Ακρωτήριο Prásino Akrotírio Wania Monteiro Gymnastics
10  Côte d'Ivoire Ακτή Ελεφαντοστού Aktí Elefandostoú Mariam Bah Taekwondo
11  Albania Αλβανία Alvanía Klodiana Shala Athletics
12  Algeria Αλγερία Algería Djabir Saïd-Guerni Athletics
13  American Samoa Αμερικανικές Σαμόα Amerikanikés Samóa Lisa Misipeka Athletics
14  Andorra Ανδόρρα Andórra Hocine Haciane Swimming
15  Antigua and Barbuda Αντίγκουα και Μπαρμπούντα Antígoua kai Barboúda Daniel Bailey Athletics
16  Argentina Αργεντινή Argentiní Carlos Espínola Sailing
17  Armenia Αρμενία Armenía Albert Azaryan Gymnastics (head coach)
18  Aruba Αρούμπα Aroúba Roshendra Vrolijk Swimming
19  Australia Αυστραλία Afstralía Colin Beashel Sailing
20  Austria Αυστρία Afstría Roman Hagara Sailing
21  Afghanistan Αφγανιστάν Afganistán Neema Suratgar Non-participant (coach)
22  Vanuatu Βανουάτου Vanouátou Moses Kamut Athletics
23  Belgium Βέλγιο Vélgio Jean-Michel Saive Table tennis
24  Venezuela Βενεζουέλα Venezouéla Julio Luna Weightlifting
25  Bermuda Βερμούδες Vermoúdes Peter Bromby Sailing
26  Vietnam Βιετνάμ Vietnám Bui Thi Nhung Athletics
27  Bolivia Βολιβία Volivía Geovana Irusta Athletics
28  Bosnia and Herzegovina Βοσνία-Ερζεγοβίνη Vosnía-Erzegovíni Nedžad Fazlija Shooting
29  Bulgaria Βουλγαρία Voulgaría Mariya Grozdeva Shooting
30  Brazil Βραζιλία Vrazilía Torben Grael Sailing
31  British Virgin Islands Βρετανικές Παρθένοι Νήσοι Vretanikés Parthénoi Nísoi Dion Crabbe Athletics
32  France Γαλλία Gallía Jackson Richardson Handball
33  Germany Γερμανία Germanía Ludger Beerbaum Equestrian
34  Georgia Γεωργία Georgía Zurab Zviadauri Judo
35  Gambia Γκάμπια Gámbia Jaysuma Saidy Ndure Athletics
36  Gabon Γκαμπόν Gabón Mélanie Engoang Judo
37  Ghana Γκάνα Gána Andrew Owusu Athletics
38  Guam Γκουάμ Gouám Jeffrey Cobb Wrestling
39  Guatemala Γουατεμάλα Gouatemála Gisela Morales Swimming
40  Guyana Γουιάνα Gouiána Aliann Pompey Athletics
41  Guinea Γουινέα Gouinéa Nabie Foday Fofanah Athletics
42  Guinea-Bissau Γουινέα-Μπισσάου Gouinéa-Bissáou Leopoldina Ross Wrestling
43  Grenada Γρενάδα Grenáda Alleyne Francique Athletics
44  Denmark Δανία Danía Eskild Ebbesen Rowing
45  Democratic Republic of the Congo Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία του Κονγκό Laïkí Dimokratía tou Kongó Gary Kikaya Athletics
46  Dominica Δομίνικα Domínika Chris Lloyd Athletics
47  Dominican Republic Δομινικανή Δημοκρατία Dominikaní Dimokratía Francia Jackson Volleyball
48  El Salvador Ελ Σαλβαδόρ El Salvadór Evelyn García Cycling
49  Switzerland Ελβετία Elvetía Roger Federer Tennis
50  Eritrea Ερυθραία Erythraía Yonas Kifle Athletics
51  Estonia Εσθονία Esthonía Erki Nool Athletics
52  Zambia Ζάμπια Zámbia Davis Mwale Boxing
53  Zimbabwe Ζιμπάμπουε Zimbáboue Young Talkmore Nyongani Athletics
54  United Arab Emirates Ηνωμένα Αραβικά Εμιράτα Inoména Araviká Emiráta Saeed Al Maktoum Shooting
55  United States of America Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής Inoménes Politeíes Amerikís Dawn Staley Basketball
56  Japan Ιαπωνία Iaponía Kyoko Hamaguchi Wrestling
57  India Ινδία Indía Anju Bobby George Athletics
58  Indonesia Ινδονησία Indonisía Christian Hadinata Badminton (coach)
59  Jordan Ιορδανία Iordanía Khalil Al Hanahneh Athletics
60  Iraq Ιράκ Irák Hadir Lazame Judo
61  Islamic Republic of Iran Ισλαμική Δημοκρατία του Ιράν Islamikí Dimokratía tou Irán Arash Miresmaeli Judo
62  Ireland Ιρλανδία Irlandía Niall Griffin Equestrian
63  Equatorial Guinea Ισημερινή Γουινέα Isimeriní Gouinéa Emilia Mikue Ondo Athletics
64  Ecuador Ισημερινός Isimerinós Alexandra Escobar Weightlifting
65  Iceland Ισλανδία Islandía Gudmundur Hrafnkelsson Handball
66  Spain Ισπανία Ispanía Isabel Fernández Judo
67  Israel Ισραήλ Israíl Ariel Ze'evi Judo
68  Italy Ιταλία Italía Jury Chechi Gymnastics
69  Kazakhstan Καζακστάν Kazakstán Askhat Zhitkeyev Judo
70  Cameroon Καμερούν Kameroún Vencelas Dabaya Weightlifting
71  Cambodia Καμπότζη Kambótzi Hem Kiri Swimming
72  Canada Καναδάς Kanadás Nicolas Gill Judo
73  Qatar Κατάρ Katár Khaled Habash Al-Suwaidi Athletics
74  Cayman Islands Νήσοι Καϋμάν Nísoi Kaÿmán Cydonie Mothersille Athletics
75  Central African Republic Κεντροαφρικανική Δημοκρατία Kendroafrikanikí Dimokratía Ernest Ndjissipou Athletics
76  Kenya Κένυα Kénya Violet Barasa Volleyball
77  People's Republic of China Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία της Κίνας Laïkí Dimokratía tis Kínas Yao Ming Basketball
78  Kyrgyzstan Κιργιζιστάν Kirgizistán Mital Sharipov Weightlifting
79  Kiribati Κιριμπάτι Kiribáti Meamea Thomas Weightlifting
80  Colombia Κολομβία Kolomvía Carmenza Delgado Weightlifting
81  Comoros Κομόρες Komóres Hadhari Djaffar Athletics
82  Congo Κονγκό Kongó Rony Bakale Swimming
83 Democratic People's Republic of Korea (PRK) Λαοκρατική Δημοκρατία της Κορέας Laokratikí Dimokratía tis Koréas Kim Song-ho Non-participant (NOC official)
83 Korea (KOR) Κορέα Koréa Ku Min-jung Volleyball
84  Costa Rica Κόστα Ρίκα Kósta Ríka David Fernández Judo
85  Cuba Κούβα Koúva Iván Pedroso Athletics
86  Kuwait Κουβέιτ Kouvéit Fehaid Al-Deehani Shooting
87  Cook Islands Νήσοι Κουκ Nísoi Kouk Sam Nunuke Pera Weightlifting
88  Croatia Κροατία Kroatía Dubravko Šimenc Water polo
89  Cyprus Κύπρος Kýpros Georgios Achilleos Shooting
90  Lao People's Democratic Republic Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία του Λάος Laïkí Dimokratía tou Láos Chamleunesouk Ao Oudomphonh Athletics
91  Lesotho Λεσόθο Lesótho Lineo Mochesane Taekwondo
92  Latvia Λεττονία Lettonía Vadims Vasiļevskis Athletics
93  Belarus Λευκορωσία Lefkorosía Alexander Medved Wrestling
94  Lebanon Λίβανος Lívanos Jean Claude Rabbath Athletics
95  Liberia Λιβερία Livería Christopher Sayeh Non-participant
96  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Λιβυκή Αραβική Τζαμαχαρία Livykí Aravikí Tzamacharía Mohamed Eshtiwi Weightlifting
97  Lithuania Λιθουανία Lithouanía Saulius Štombergas Basketball
98  Liechtenstein Λιχτενστάιν Lichtenstáin Oliver Geissmann Shooting
99  Luxembourg Λουξεμβούργο Louxemvoúrgo Claudine Schaul Tennis
100  Madagascar Μαδαγασκάρη Madagaskári Rosa Rakotozafy Athletics
101  Malaysia Μαλαισία Malaisía Bryan Nickson Lomas Diving
102  Malawi Μαλάουι Maláoui Kondwani Chiwina Athletics
103  Maldives Μαλδίβες Maldíves Sultan Saeed Athletics
104  Mali Μαλί Malí Kadiatou Camara Athletics
105  Malta Μάλτα Málta William Chetcuti Shooting
106  Morocco Μαρόκο Maróko Nezha Bidouane Athletics
107  Mauritius Μαυρίκιος Mavríkios Michael Medor Boxing
108  Mauritania Μαυριτανία Mavritanía Youba Hmeida Athletics
109  Great Britain Μεγάλη Βρετανία Megáli Vretanía Kate Howey Judo
110  Mexico Μεξικό Mexikó Fernando Platas Diving
111  Federated States of Micronesia Ομόσπονδες Πολιτείες της Μικρονησίας Omóspondes Politeíes tis Mikronisías Manuel Minginfel Weightlifting
112  Mongolia Μογγολία Mongolía Damdinsürengiin Nyamkhüü Judo
113  Mozambique Μοζαμβίκη Mozamvíki Kurt Couto Athletics
114  Republic of Moldova Μολδαβία Moldavía Oleg Moldovan Shooting
115  Monaco Μονακό Monakó Sébastien Gattuso Athletics
116  Bangladesh Μπαγκλαντές Bangladés Asif Hossain Khan Shooting
117  Barbados Μπαρμπάντος Barbádos Michael Maskell Shooting
118  Bahamas Μπαχάμες Bachámes Debbie Ferguson Athletics
119  Bahrain Μπαχρέιν Bachréin Ahmed Hamada Jassim Athletics
120  Belize Μπελίζε Belíze Emma Wade Athletics
121  Benin Μπενίν Benín Fabienne Feraez Athletics
122  Botswana Μποτσουάνα Botsouána Khumiso Ikgopoleng Boxing
123  Burkina Faso Μπουρκίνα Φάσο Bourkína Fáso Mamadou Ouedraogo Swimming
124  Burundi Μπουρούντι Bouroúndi Emery Nziyunvira Swimming
125  Bhutan Μπουτάν Boután Tshering Chhoden Archery
126  Brunei Darussalam Μπρουνέι Brounéi Jimmy Anak Ahar Athletics
127  Myanmar Μυανμάρ Myanmár U Hla Win Weightlifting (coach)
128  Namibia Ναμίμπια Namíbia Paulus Ambunda Boxing
129  Nauru Ναουρού Naouroú Yukio Peter Weightlifting
130  New Zealand Νέα Ζηλανδία Néa Zilandía Beatrice Faumuina Athletics
131  Nepal Νεπάλ Nepál Rajendra Bahadur Bhandari Athletics
132  Niger Νίγηρας Nígiras Abdou Alassane Dji Bo Judo
133  Nigeria Νιγηρία Nigiría Mary Onyali-Omagbemi Athletics
134  Nicaragua Νικαράγουα Nikarágoua Svitlana Kashchenko Shooting
135  Norway Νορβηγία Norvigía Harald Stenvaag Shooting
136  South Africa Νότιος Αφρική Nótios Afrikí Mbulaeni Mulaudzi Athletics
137  Netherlands Ολλανδία Ollandía Mark Huizinga Judo
138  Netherlands Antilles Ολλανδικές Αντίλλες Ollandikés Antílles Churandy Martina Athletics
139  Oman Ομάν Omán Hamoud Abdallah Al-Dalhami Athletics
140  Honduras Ονδούρα Ondoúra Iizzwa Medina Table tennis
141  Hungary Ουγγαρία Oungaría Antal Kovács Judo
142  Uganda Ουγκάντα Ougánda Joseph Lubega Boxing
143  Uzbekistan Ουζμπεκιστάν Ouzbekistán Abdullo Tangriev Judo
144  Ukraine Ουκρανία Oukranía Denys Sylantyev Swimming
145  Uruguay Ουρουγουάη Ourougouái Serrana Fernández Swimming
146  Pakistan Πακιστάν Pakistán Mohammad Nadeem Field hockey
147  Palestine Παλαιστίνη Palaistíni Sanna Abubkheet Athletics
148  Palau Παλάου Paláou John Tarkong Wrestling
149  Panama Παναμάς Panamás Eileen Coparropa Swimming
150  Papua New Guinea Παπούα-Νέα Γουινέα Papoúa-Néa Gouinéa Dika Toua Weightlifting
151  Paraguay Παραγουάη Paragouái Rocio Rivarola Rowing
152  Virgin Islands Παρθένοι Νήσοι Parthénoi Nísoi La Verne Jones Athletics
153  Peru Περού Peroú Francisco Boza Shooting
154  Poland Πολωνία Polonía Bartosz Kizierowski Swimming
155  Portugal Πορτογαλία Portogalía Nuno Delgado Judo
156  Puerto Rico Πουέρτο Ρίκο Pouérto Ríko Carlos Arroyo Basketball
157  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας Próin Giougoslavikí Dimokratía tis Makedonías Blagoja Georgievski Basketball (referee)
158  Rwanda Ρουάντα Rouánda Mathias Ntawulikura Athletics
159  Romania Ρουμανία Roumanía Elisabeta Lipă Rowing
160  Russian Federation Ρωσική Ομοσπονδία Rosikí Omospondia Alexander Popov Swimming
161  Saint Kitts and Nevis Σαιντ Κιτς και Νέβις Saint Kits kai Névis Kim Collins Athletics
162  Samoa Σαμόα Samóa Uati Maposua Weightlifting
163  São Tomé and Príncipe Σάο Τομέ και Πρίνσιπε Sáo Tomé kai Prínsipe Fumilay Fonseca Athletics
164  Saudi Arabia Σαουδική Αραβία Saoudikí Aravía Hadi Soua An Al Somaily Athletics
165  Senegal Σενεγάλη Senegáli Malick Fall Swimming
166  Serbia and Montenegro Σερβία και Μαυροβούνιο Servía kai Mavrovoúnio Dejan Bodiroga Basketball
167  Seychelles Σεϋχέλλες Seÿchélles Allan Julie Sailing
168  Singapore Σιγκαπούρη Singapoúri Ronald Susilo Badminton
169  Sierra Leone Σιέρρα Λεόνε Siérra Leóne Hawanatu Bangura Athletics
170  Slovakia Σλοβακία Slovakía Michal Martikán Canoeing
171  Slovenia Σλοβενία Slovenía Beno Lapajne Handball
172  Solomon Islands Νήσοι Σολομώντος Nísoi Solomóndos Francis Manioru Athletics
173  Somalia Σομαλία Somalía Mohamed Ahmed Alim Non-participant (head coach)
174  Swaziland Σουαζιλάνδη Souazilándi Gcinile Moyane Athletics
175  Sudan Σουδάν Soudán Todd Matthews Jouda Athletics
176  Sweden Σουηδία Souidía Lars Frölander Swimming
177  Suriname Σουρινάμ Sourinám Letitia Vriesde Athletics
178  Sri Lanka Σρι Λάνκα Sri Lánka Susanthika Jayasinghe Athletics
179  Syrian Arab Republic Αραβική Δημοκρατία της Συρίας Aravikí Dimokratía tis Syrías Mohammad Hazzory Athletics
180  Chinese Taipei Κινεζική Ταϊπέι Kinezikí Taïpéi Chen Chih-yuan Baseball
181  United Republic of Tanzania Τανζανία Tanzanía Restituta Joseph Athletics
182  Tajikistan Τατζικιστάν Tatzikistán Nargis Nabieva Archery
183  Thailand Ταϊλάνδη Tailándi Paradorn Srichaphan Tennis
184  Jamaica Τζαμάικα Tzamáika Sandie Richards Athletics
185  Djibouti Τζιμπουτί Tziboutí Zeinab Mohamed Khaireh Non-participant
186  Timor-Leste Ανατολικό Τιμόρ Anatolikó Timór Agueda Amaral Athletics
187  Tonga Τόγκα Tónga Ma'afu Hawke Boxing
188  Togo Τόγκο Tógo Jan Sekpona Athletics
189  Turkey Τουρκία Tourkía Ali Enver Adakan Sailing
190  Turkmenistan Τουρκμενιστάν Tourkmenistán Shohrat Kurbanov Boxing
191  Trinidad and Tobago Τρινιντάντ και Τομπάγκο Trinidád kai Tobágo Ato Boldon Athletics
192  Chad Τσαντ Tsad Kaltouma Nadjina Athletics
193  Czech Republic Δημοκρατία της Τσεχίας Dimokratía tis Tsechías Květoslav Svoboda Swimming
194  Tunisia Τυνησία Tynisía Noureddine Hfaiedh Volleyball
195  Yemen Υεμένη Yeméni Akram Abdullah Taekwondo
196  Philippines Φιλιππίνες Filippínes Romeo Brin Boxing
197  Finland Φινλανδία Finlandía Thomas Johanson Sailing
198  Fiji Φίτζι Fítzi Sisilia Nasiga Judo
199  Chile Χιλή Chilí Kristel Köbrich Swimming
200  Hong Kong, China Χονγκ Κονγκ, Κίνα Chong Kong, Kína Sherry Tsai Swimming
201  Greece Ελλάς Ellás Pyrros Dimas Weightlifting
Notes
  1. Krisna Bayu was originally appointed to be the flag bearer for Indonesia, but was unable to do so because of flu.
  2. Christopher Camat was appointed to be the flag bearer for the Philippines, but Brin replaced him as the former decided to see action the day after the opening ceremonies.

See also

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