An Olympic Anthem composed by Spyros Samaras (music) and by Kostis Palamas (lyrics) was first played at the Games of the I Olympiad in Athens. Thereafter, a variety of musical offerings provided the backgrounds to the Opening Ceremonies until 1960, since which time the Samaras/Palamas composition has become the official Olympic Anthem. (decision taken by the IOC Session in 1958)

1896年在雅典第1届奥运会的开幕式上, 国王乔治一世宣布奥运会开幕以后,合唱队唱起了一首庄严而动听的歌曲《奥林匹克圣歌》。这是一首古希腊歌曲,由希腊人萨马拉斯作曲, 帕拉马斯作词, 但当时并未确定其为奥运会会歌。此后的历届奥运会均由东道主确定会歌, 未形成统一的会歌形式。国际奥委会在1958年于东京举行的第55次全会上最后确定还是用《奥林匹克圣歌》作为奥林匹克会歌。