symbolizing the Modern Olympic Games journey around the world, and coming back home to Athens. While not officially part of the Olympic protocol, there has been a recognition of past host cities at some Opening Ceremonies. For the Summer Olympics, a recognition has appeared in the 1992 opening ceremony in Barcelona, 1996 opening ceremony in Atlanta and a reduced version at the 2012 opening ceremony in London. In the Winter Olympics, there has been a recognition in 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where banners of the previous 18 Winter Olympics entered Rice-Eccles Stadium at the beginning of the ceremony, and the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Opening addresses Two short speeches were delivered in front of the olive tree, a traditional Greek and Olympic symbol. The first speech came from Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, the President of the Athens Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (ATHOC), and the first female chief organizer of an Olympic Games. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki offered a message of welcome to the Athletes of the World in Greek and English: "Καλως ΗΡΘΑΤΕ"! and "Welcome! Welcome to the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Welcome to a unique Olympic Homecoming." She told the athletes in Greek: "Η Ελλάδα είναι εδώ. Είμαστε έτοιμοι." which translates into English as "Greece is here. We're ready" and also stated, "Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες, Καλώς ήρθατε." (in Greek), "Jeux olympiques, bienvenue." (in French), and "Olympic Games, Welcome home!" (in English). She also stated the people of Greece "have waited long for this moment," alluding to the long period between the first modern Olympic Games in Greece and the 2004 Games. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was followed by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge, who delivered a speech encouraging participating athletes to resist the urge to use banned performance-enhancing substances and "show us that sport unites by overriding national, political, religious, and language barriers". Rogge speaking in Greek stated, "Έχω τώρα την τιμή να καλέσω τον Πρόεδρο της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας. Να κηρύξει την Έναρξη των Αγώνων." which translate into English as "I have the honor of inviting the President of the Hellenic Republic. To announce the opening of the Games." Rogge then introduced the President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, who declared the games officially open. Stephanopoulos was accompanied by Colonel Georgios Dritsakos, the President's Adjutant of the Hellenic Air Force, who spoke in Greek saying, "Κηρύσσω την έναρξη των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων