THE Olympics is going to look a little different this year with no fans in attendance in Tokyo.
But one thing that will remain the same is the playing of the Olympic anthem.
And we will hear it more than ever this time around, as it will be played instead of the Russian anthem whenever any athletes from the country win gold medals.
The Olympic anthem will also be played if the Refugee team wins a gold medal.
What are the Olympic anthem lyrics?
Olympian flame immortalWhose beacon lights our wayEmblaze our hearts with the fires of hopeOn this momentous dayAs now we come across the worldTo share these Games of oldLet all the flags of every landIn brotherhood unfoldSing out each nation, voices strongRise up in harmonyAll hail our brave OlympiansWith strains of victoryOlympic light burn on and onO’er seas and mountains and plainsUnite, inspire, bring honourTo these ascending gamesMay valour reign victoriousAlong the path of golden wayAs tomorrow’s new champions now come forthRising to the fervent spirit of the gameLet splendour pervade each noble deedCrowned with glory and fameAnd let fraternity and fellowshipSurround the soul of every nationOh flame, eternal in your firmament so brightIlluminate us with your everlasting lightThat grace and beauty and magnificenceShine like the sunBlazing aboveBestow on us your honour, truth and love
Who wrote the Olympic anthem?
The Olympic anthem was composed by opera composer Spyridon Samaras ahead of the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens – the first of the modern era.
Poet Kostis Palamas added words to the hymn in Greek.
However, it was not approved as the official anthem of the Olympic movement until 1958.
