Standing ovation

In Ancient Rome returning military commanders (such as Marcus Licinius Crassus after his defeat of Spartacus) whose victories did not quite meet the requirements of a triumph but which were still praiseworthy were celebrated with an ovation instead, from the Latin ovo, "I rejoice".

It is routine, rather than exceptional, for this address to be introduced, interrupted and followed by standing ovations, from both the president's own party and his political opponents.

However, by tradition all ovations that occur before the speech begins, as opposed to those that interrupt it, are given in praise of the office itself, rather than the individual office-holder, and the president is never introduced by name.

This practice is especially notable among sports fans in Montreal, Quebec, Canada throughout the years, where many athletes have received standing ovations lasting several minutes long as a way to show appreciation.

Koivu received an 8–9 minutes standing ovation from the Montreal fans prior to puck drop.