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屆奧運會的開幕式上, 國王喬治一世宣布奧運會開幕以后,合唱隊唱起了一首莊嚴而動聽的歌曲《奧林匹克圣歌》。這是一首古希臘歌曲,由希臘人薩馬拉斯作曲, 帕拉馬斯作詞, 但當時并未確定其為奧運會會歌。此后的歷屆奧運會均由東道主確定會歌, 未形成統一的會歌形式。國際奧委會在1958年于東京舉行的第55次全會上最后確定還是用《奧林匹克圣歌》作為奧林匹克會歌。