Splendid opening ceremony raises curtain on Games
The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony began at the National Stadium in Beijing on Friday. The program is divided into 15 segments, including the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
A pre-show presented by square dancers aged from five to over 70 years old was held prior to the opening ceremony.
The "Square Dance" is a creation of ordinary Chinese people and has become very popular. On public squares in large cities or small towns, people spontaneously gather together to joyfully sing and dance in their off-time.
This choreographed performance showcased the passion of the Chinese people in welcoming the Olympic Winter Games.
A pre-show is presented before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022.
Firework shows the countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing. As the ceremony started, the lights dimmed and a 24-second countdown followed.
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. The opening day of the 2022 Winter Olympics coincides with the "Beginning of Spring", which is the first of the 24 solar terms of the year. It is used to count down the last seconds before the ceremony, reflecting the Chinese people's understanding of time.
The Olympic delegation of Greece parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. As an Olympic tradition, Greece, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, was the first team to start the parade of athletes into the National Stadium.
The Olympic delegation of China parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. China, as hosts, marched in last.