Published on 08 Aug 2008
One World, one Dream: The XXIX Olympiad officially opened
Marco Dalla Dea
The XXIX Olympiad of Beijing 2008 has been declared open by the Chinese President Hu Jintao today. The Olympic Torch, concluding its four-months long journey, entered the Bird’s Nest stadium carried by the former Chinese pistol shooter Xu Haifeng, winner of the first Olympic Gold ever of China in 1984, and passed to the gymnast Li Ning who flamed the gigantic Olympic cauldron.
The world journey of the Olympic Torch is over: the flame came back to Beijing after a four-months long journey, 129 days and 137.000 kilometers. The flame entered the so-called Bird’s Nest stadium, where the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008 were officially open. The countdown is over: the most important sport festival, the event that the world was waiting since four years, has been declared opened by the Chinese president Mr. Hu Jintao, invited on the main stage of the opening ceremony by the IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge.
“For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world’s athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games. – Said the IOC President - Tonight that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing! You have chosen as the theme of these Games One World, One Dream. That is what we are tonight!”
The outstanding Opening Ceremony, held at the Bird Nest, amused the entire world. Over 90000 spectators followed the ceremony from the tribunes, while 20000 performers displayed the history of China through the centuries. The spectacle rose in intensity when thousands of athletes coming from 204 nations marched into the stadium, in a colorful parade. From the USA to San Marino, form Russia to the Netherlands Antilles, all the delegations received the same worm welcome of the Bird Nest, while the sky was lightened by 29.000 spectacular fireworks. The Stadium burst into applauses for the Chinese team, the last to march into the venue, guided by the flag bearer, the basketball player Yao Ming.
“As one dream, may these Olympic Games bring you joy, hope and pride. Athletes, the Games were created for you by our founder, Pierre de Coubertin. These Games belong to you. Let them be the athletes’ Games.” said Dr. Jacques Rogge, saluting the Olympians.
The Olympic flame's four-month-long journey culminated with a spectacular end at the Opening Ceremony. The Olympic Torch entered into the Bird’s Nest carried by the Chinese pistol shooter Xu Haifeng, winner of the first Olympic Gold medal ever for China at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The Torch passed then to some of the most representative Chinese athletes. The Torch closed then its journey with the lighting of the cauldron just after midnight as former gymnast Li Ning, lifted into the air with a spectacular effect after he received the Olympic flame, "ran" along the 500-meter-long brim of the Bird’s Nest to reach the gigantic cauldron, which he ignited using the flame from his torch.
The IOC President Jacques Rogge, concluding the ceremony, reminded to the athlete and to the World the Olympic values, saluting the XXIX Olympiad. “Please compete in the spirit of Olympic values: excellence, friendship and respect. Dear athletes, remember that you are role models for the Youth of the World. Reject doping and cheating. Make us proud of your achievements and your conduct.”
The competitions will start tomorrow at the Olympic Shooting Hall, where the first final of these Games, the 10m Air Rifle Women match, will be held. The first medals of the Beijing 2008 Games will be awarded by the IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge and by the ISSF President Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña.
“For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world’s athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games. – Said the IOC President - Tonight that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing! You have chosen as the theme of these Games One World, One Dream. That is what we are tonight!”
The outstanding Opening Ceremony, held at the Bird Nest, amused the entire world. Over 90000 spectators followed the ceremony from the tribunes, while 20000 performers displayed the history of China through the centuries. The spectacle rose in intensity when thousands of athletes coming from 204 nations marched into the stadium, in a colorful parade. From the USA to San Marino, form Russia to the Netherlands Antilles, all the delegations received the same worm welcome of the Bird Nest, while the sky was lightened by 29.000 spectacular fireworks. The Stadium burst into applauses for the Chinese team, the last to march into the venue, guided by the flag bearer, the basketball player Yao Ming.
“As one dream, may these Olympic Games bring you joy, hope and pride. Athletes, the Games were created for you by our founder, Pierre de Coubertin. These Games belong to you. Let them be the athletes’ Games.” said Dr. Jacques Rogge, saluting the Olympians.
The Olympic flame's four-month-long journey culminated with a spectacular end at the Opening Ceremony. The Olympic Torch entered into the Bird’s Nest carried by the Chinese pistol shooter Xu Haifeng, winner of the first Olympic Gold medal ever for China at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The Torch passed then to some of the most representative Chinese athletes. The Torch closed then its journey with the lighting of the cauldron just after midnight as former gymnast Li Ning, lifted into the air with a spectacular effect after he received the Olympic flame, "ran" along the 500-meter-long brim of the Bird’s Nest to reach the gigantic cauldron, which he ignited using the flame from his torch.
The IOC President Jacques Rogge, concluding the ceremony, reminded to the athlete and to the World the Olympic values, saluting the XXIX Olympiad. “Please compete in the spirit of Olympic values: excellence, friendship and respect. Dear athletes, remember that you are role models for the Youth of the World. Reject doping and cheating. Make us proud of your achievements and your conduct.”
The competitions will start tomorrow at the Olympic Shooting Hall, where the first final of these Games, the 10m Air Rifle Women match, will be held. The first medals of the Beijing 2008 Games will be awarded by the IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge and by the ISSF President Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña.