The Olympic Anthem (also called the Olympic Hymn) has music composed by the Greek composer Spyridon (Spyros) Samaras, with lyrics written by the Greek poet Kostis (Kostas) Palamas.

Quick Scoop: Who Wrote the Olympic Anthem?

If you’re wondering who wrote the Olympic anthem , the answer is actually a duo:

  • Composer (music): Spyridon/Spyros Samaras , a Greek opera composer.
  • Lyricist (words): Kostis/Kostas Palamas , a prominent Greek poet.

They created it for the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.

A Bit of Backstory

  • The anthem was first performed at the 1896 Athens Olympics during the opening ceremony.
  • For many years after that, host nations often used their own music at Opening Ceremonies, so the Samaras–Palamas hymn wasn’t always heard.
  • In 1958 , at an IOC Session in Tokyo, the Olympic Movement decided to make the Samaras–Palamas work the official Olympic Anthem starting with the 1960 Games.

Since then, it is played when:

  • The Olympic flag is raised at the Opening Ceremony.
  • The Olympic flag is lowered at the Closing Ceremony.

Why It Still Matters Today

Even in recent Olympics:

  • The same anthem is used globally, regardless of host country, giving the Games a consistent, historic sound identity.
  • It’s officially recognized as part of the Olympic properties in the Olympic Charter.

So if your focus keyword is “who wrote the Olympic anthem” :

It was composed by Spyridon (Spyros) Samaras with lyrics by Kostis (Kostas) Palamas , both from Greece, for the 1896 Athens Olympics, and adopted officially in 1958.

TL;DR:
The Olympic Anthem’s music was written by Spyridon/Spyros Samaras and the words by Kostis/Kostas Palamas for the 1896 Athens Games; it became the official anthem from 1960 onward.

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