Beijing Olympics open in spectacular fashion – Chris Turner – IAAF

Beijing, China – The Games of the XXIX Olympiad, Beijing 2008, were opened in spectacular fashion last night in the ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium in the Chinese capital.

“One World, One Dream” is the slogan of Beijing 2008, and 10,000 athletes from around the world joined the cast of thousands of Chinese performance artists to make that message reality for those in attendance in the stadium and the billions who experienced the opening via TV around the globe.

Chinese history expressed in music, dance, animation, video, lights and pyrotechnics entertained over 90,000 people seated in the spectator tribunes, with the traditional procession of athletes and officials from the delegations of over 200 National Olympic Committees providing a sizeable slice of the four hour show.

President Lamine Diack, and fellow members of the IAAF Council were in attendance at the ceremony – some like Senior Vice-President Sergey Bubka, entering the stadium with their national teams – along with dozens of Heads of State who marked the Games’ opening with IOC President Jacques Rogge, the President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, and BOCOG President Liu Qi.

30,000 fireworks were ignited in and around the stadium helping to leave an indelible impression on all who witnessed a magnificent night’s entertainment which will live long in the memory after the Olympic flame is extinguished on Sunday 24 August.

The Athletics programme takes place from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 August, concluding as per tradition with the men’s Marathon on the morning of the final day.

Chris Turner – IAAF