Let’s back up: During the Opening Ceremonies, every nation’s team parades in behind one member who holds the country’s flag. In the stands sit the governing officials of the host country. As the team marches past this section, the flag bearer lowers the flag as a sign of respect.

Why does the USA not dip their flag?

In 1936, when both the summer and winter Olympics were held in Germany, the US abstained from dipping the flag to then-leader Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party in Berlin. Dyreson explains that in 1936, the United States Olympic Committee decided to “codify” not dipping the flag.

Why doesn't the USA dip its flag at the Olympic opening ceremony?

Until 1936, the practice to dip or not to dip flip-flopped. King Gustav V received a dipped flag in the 1912 Games, but 1936 was an easy call: The U.S. nearly didn’t participate in the Berlin Summer Olympics, let alone dip a flag in respect to Adolf Hitler. … So when we don’t dip our flag, it’s not pride.