Olympics officially open

2008-08-08 18:26

Beijing - The Olympic Games, costing an estimated $40bn and battered by political and environmental concerns, was declared open on Friday as China displayed its credentials as a modern, confident nation.

President Hu Jintao declared the Games open at the "Bird's Nest" stadium in front of 90 000 spectators and a worldwide television audience of up to four billion.

Captured three gold medals

The president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, said: "For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world's athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

"Tonight (Friday) that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing."

Minutes later, the Olympic cauldron was lit by Li Ning, the Chinese gymnast who captured three gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

An opening ceremony, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zhang Yimou, featured 5 000 competitors from 204 nations parade in a lavish event, with 35 000 fireworks lighting up a typical, smog-filled Beijing evening.

In a country where eight is a lucky number, the ceremony burst into life at eight minutes past eight on the eighth day of the eighth month.

Based on the number of strokes

As tradition demands, Greece, the home of the ancient Olympics, led the parade of teams into the stadium with judoka Ilias Iliadis carrying his country's flag.

But in a break from that famous tradition, the competing nations then filed through in the order based on the number of strokes of their names as written in Chinese characters.

China, with a 639-strong squad, brought up the rear led by flag bearer, and basketball superstar, Yao Ming unleashing a huge roar from the crowd.

Swimmer Natalie du Toit, making history as the first athlete to compete against able-bodied competitors at an Olympics, led the way for South Africa.

- AFP