Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony dazzles with midwinter show
14:55 JST, February 5, 2022
BEIJING — Ahead of the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, a spectacular show was held Friday night, featuring dance performances by children, local residents and others dressed in colorful costumes.
The dazzling lights, sounds and images traced the changing of the seasons and projected the joy of the opening of the sporting event that began Friday, which was the day signifying the arrival of spring on the lunar calendar.
Following fireworks and a countdown, the opening ceremony began at 8 p.m. The Chinese national flag was raised, and the Olympic rings appeared. Athletes from Greece, the ancient birthplace of the Games, emerged first to lead the parade of athletes from various countries and regions, who were all wearing masks. About 30 members of the Japanese delegation marched, waving their hands.
As at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Zhang Yimou, a renowned Chinese film director acclaimed for visual presentations of beauty, directed the opening ceremony. Although the scale and duration of the ceremony was reduced because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the clear blue color and snowflake shapes created a magnificent atmosphere.
In his speech, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: “The global pandemic is still a reality for all of us. Therefore, our gratitude is even deeper for the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, the public authorities and all the Chinese people.
“Thank you for making these Olympic Winter Games happen, and making them happen in a safe way for everyone,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the start of the Beijing Games. About 80 performers, including young people of various nationalities, walked side by side in a performance meant to demonstrate the Games’ motto: “Together for a shared future.” Through the performance, they conveyed a message to the world of the significance of overcoming global challenges, such as racial and ethnic differences, and achieving unity.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
World Series Champion Dodgers Have Eye on Back-to-back Titles with Shohei Ohtani Returning to Mound in 2025
-
Yokohama DeNA BayStars Capture 1st Japan Series Title in 26 Years (Update 1)
-
Shohei Ohtani Set to Play for Dodgers in Game 3 of World Series Following Shoulder Injury
-
Japan Celebrates as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto Win World Series with Dodgers
-
BayStars Capture 1st Japan Series Title in 26 Years
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Streaming Services Boost Anime Popularity Overseas; Former ‘Geeky’ Interest More Beloved Among Gen Z than 3 Major U.S. Sports
- Malaysia Growing in Popularity as Destination for Studying Abroad; British-style Education Available at Low Cost
- ‘Women Over 30 Would Have Uteruses Removed’; Remarks of CPJ Leader, Novelist Naoki Hyakuta Get Wide Attention
- Japan Business Circle Calls for China Resuming Visa-Free Travel; Keizai Doyukai Visit to Country Marks 1st in 8 Years
- Typhoon Kong-rey to Reach South of Japan’s Okinawa on Thursday; JWA Urges High Alert for Strong Winds, Heavy Rain