Beijing Sky Alight with Olympic Opening Ceremony

Li Ning and the Olympic flame. (Getty Images)(ATR) Chinese artistic gymnastics gold medalist Li Ning lights the Olympic cauldron in a spectacular opening ceremony at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium.

Suspended high up in the stadium on support wires, Li simulated running a circuit around the walled section of the roof structure on video of an unfurling scroll before lighting the massive cauldron on its roof.

The cauldron bears the cloud pattern motif of the Olympic torch. Li was one of eight torchbearers who took part in the home stretch of the relay before an enthusiastic 91,000-capacity crowd buzzing with excitement for the Games.

China’s president Hu Jintao officially declared the Games open shortly after speeches by BOCOG president Liu Qi and IOC president Jacques Rogge at the stunning venue.

Liu says the opening of the Olympics is the fulfillment of a century-old dream for China. Describing the Games as an “exciting and historic moment”, he also spoke about the earthquake that ravaged Sichuan province in May. The cauldron is lit. (Getty Images)

He said the support of the international community “has heightened the moral of the Chinese nation in the reconstruction of the quake-stricken areas and boosted our confidence and determination in staging successful Games.”

“The charm of the Olympic Games dwells in its extraordinary inclusiveness,” he said.

IOC president Jacques Rogge expressed his thanks for the “tireless work” of the organizing committee.

“For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world’s athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games,” he told the crowd, who included over 90 world leaders, and assembled athletes and officials. IOC president Jacques Rogge and Chinese president Hu Jintao. (Getty Images)

“Tonight that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing,” said Rogge.

Pausing briefly to mention the earthquake, he praised the “great courage and solidarity” shown by the Chinese people in the wake of the tragedy.

“As one dream, may these Olympic Games bring you joy, hope and pride,” he added.

Rogge called on athletes to compete in the spirit of Olympic values: excellence, friendship and respect and to remember that they are role models for the youth of the world.

“Reject doping and cheating. Make us proud of your achievements and your conduct."

Praising the efforts of thousands of volunteers, he said: “Beijing, you are a host to the present and a gateway to the future. Thank you.”

The helicopters whirring overhead before and during the opening ceremony served as a reminder of the security threat posed to the Olympics.

But there was no sign of an intimidating police presence outside the stadium in the build-up to the ceremony as visitors made their way into the venue under hazy skies with surprising ease. The stern-looking military guards did nothing to stop the hordes of ticket-holders taking pictures of them. Fireworks light the sky far around the Bird's Nest. (Getty Images)

There were no long queues at the ticket barriers and no visible signs of protest from any spectators; the only thing they were interested in was capturing the Bird’s Nest on film and soaking up the atmosphere.

With temperatures hitting 32°C, visitors quenched their thirst at the beverage counters, with few queues in sight. Concessions areas did a brisk trade; Coca-Cola selling at 5 Yuan ($0.70) a bottle.

Inside the stadium, the stifling heat and humidity did not detract from an astonishingly conceived and beautifully executed opening ceremony.

As the clock counted down to the start, the passionate crowds waved their cloud-patterned flags and excitement reached fever pitch. A stadium roll of thunder from 2,000 drummers and a battering of fireworks across the Chinese capital opened the ceremony at 8 p.m. with five Olympic rings lighting up in the stadium.

The raising of the national flag and singing of the national anthem was a big moment for BOCOG and the Chinese audience.

A total of 14,000 performers participated in the ceremony, directed by Zhang Yimou. Some 110 minutes of music were specially created by 18 composers for the opening ceremony. The planets star in the ceremony. (Getty Images)

In telling of China’s ancient civilization and modern culture, he employed a vast LED scroll the length of nearly one-and-a-half football pitches across the stadium floor.

It unfolded displayed ink and wash painting, pictures of the Great Wall of China, paintings from distant dynasties and scenes from modern China.

The entertainment culminated with one of the most impressive sections of the 28-segement ceremony. A 16-ton model globe emerged from the bowels of the stadium, accompanied by dancers and a dramatic soundscape.

Thousands of children’s smiling faces throughout the world were collected by BOCOG to be projected on the globe and around the stadium to highlight the Beijing Olympic theme “One World, One Dream”.

The globe, also used as backdrop for images of sporting action, was greeting by cheering crowds.

The decibel level moved up a notch for the 1 hour, 50 minute parade of athletes, heralded by a shower of fireworks.

Greece led the 204 competing national Olympic committee teams – Brunei Darussalam did not choose to take part after failing to register any athletes for competition.

Some athletes had threatened to make political statements about China at the opening ceremony but nothing materialised. But it was only the unwise fashion statements of some teams that drew frowns.

The crowds were generous in their applause in a stadium awash with dazzling colors; the flickering red, blue and green light sticks and flashing cameras added to the scenes of celebration.

There were big cheers for the Iraqi delegation, whose athletes made it to the Games following the IOC’s last-minute deal brokered with the Iraqi government over the reinstatement of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq.

The NOCI’s general secretary Hussein al-Amidi and acting president Bashar Mustafa led the delegation.

Also receiving cheers were teams from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Russia and the U.S. Lights and fireworks illuminate the inside of the Bird's Nest. (Getty Images)

But U.S. President George W. Bush was loudly booed when his face flashed up on the two big screens as he waved on U.S. athletes. Bush angered China after expressing “deep concerns” about the country’s human rights issues a few days ago.

But the biggest cheer was for Chinese delegation led by basketball star Yao Ming.

Chanting “China, China”, the crowd took the roof off as they caught a glimpse of the athletes they hope will bring a record medal haul at the Olympics and demonstrated the passion they have for sport.

Emotions even showed on the face of Chinese President Hu Jintao, whose ear-to-ear smile said it all.

In keeping with tradition, an athlete and a judge also took the Olympic oaths on behalf of all competitors and officials.

Now China must successfully deliver 16 days of sporting competition.

Written by Mark Bisson in Beijing

For general comments or questions, click here