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2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony
2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony
On August 8th, 2008 at 8:00pm Beijing time, the Opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics began with an explosion of fireworks. Designed by Zhang Yimou, one of China's most famous movie directors, the ceremony showcased China's history in a series of dancing and singing numbers. The performance showed some of China's greatest inventions and achievements. At the end of the performances, China's president Hu Jintao declared the games officially open. The torch relay was then brought into the National Stadium for the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. Chinese gymnast Li Ning was carried through the air to light the cauldron. It was one of the most watched events in TV history and has been called one of the most spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremonies in history.
The National Stadium (Bird's Nest) before the opening ceremony
The Olympic Rings rising above the crowd
2008 Taiqi practisioners demonstrating their skill
2008 drummers drumming in perfect unison
2008 drummers awed spectators
Fireworks lighting up the Beijing sky
Dancers representing humanity surrounding the globe
Ancient scholars reading from their books
Women guided each nation around the inside of the stadium
Yao Ming and an earthquake survivor were China's flag bearers
Gymnasty Li Ning running with the torch
Li Ning lighting the Olympic flame
The Olympics have begun
Quote from Getty Images
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