Traditionally, Greece enters first, the host country last. In the middle are the other participating nations, in the order in which their names are spelled in the host's language. On occasion, the order of march for the "middle nations" has been set by the French spelling of their names.
Greece enters first in recognition of its place in history as the home of the ancient Olympics, as well as its having hosted the first Games of the modern era, in 1896. In 2004, when the Games were held in Athens, Greece chose to march in last, in its role as host.
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