Favourite Presentation of Olympic Rings at Summer Games Ceremonies

[Kenadian]

We've discussed and polled on favourite stadium, favourite logo, favourite torch, etc...but don't think we've ever discussed this topic in a poll.

At each Olympic ceremony, the Olympic Rings get some sort of presentation. It is a relatively "new" tradition that didn't take firm hold until the 1980s, around the same time the ceremonies got more lavish, but Mexico and Montreal did have a rings presentation in their ceremonies so I'm counting them in.

So...what's your fave? And what do you think London (or Rio) might do at their Games?

[Sir Rols]

Beijing's was pretty impressive, but I though Athens' flaming rings were more dramatic.

[mattygs]

I'd go with Athens.

It was a moment which tied in to the whole ceremony, aswell as working on its own as a key image of that event. Infact, I would say if any image is used to display the opening ceremony of Athens, it is probably the flaming rings.

Fit perfectly with the zembeikiko music too.

[wingspread]

Voted for the flaming rings of Athens. Sydney's Man From Snowy River is second. The wheat harvest rings from the Athens closing ceremony was nice, too.

[Scotguy]

Athens didnt wow me as much due to the Salt Lake City opening at the end, with the flaming rings on the ice ignited by the skater, smaller in comparison to Athens but as it had been done 2 years earlier it wasnt a complete surprise to me

[Lord David]

You forgot Tokyo 1964 and the rings done in the sky by the aerobatic jets.

[deawebo]

Athens' was something i will hardly forget... Simply the best!!!

[hiroamorim]

Athens 2004 because it was full of symbolism and fit perfectly in the narrative "the olympic games welcome back to Greece".

[Olympian2004]

Athens didnt wow me as much due to the Salt Lake City opening at the end, with the flaming rings on the ice ignited by the skater, smaller in comparison to Athens but as it had been done 2 years earlier it wasnt a complete surprise to me

Same feeling here. So Beijing wowed me much more. I think it was impressive as well as beautiful and pensive.

But a great moment was also when they created those "crop circles" in shape of the Olympic Rings in Athens' closing ceremony. They did it so quickly, just in time with the frantic last seconds of the Sirtaki melody -- and the big roar of the audience was also impressive.