91 NOCs march at Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremony

The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games officially opened tonight with a spectacular Opening Ceremony

Coinciding with the first day of Spring in China, the Opening Ceremony began with a ‘Beginning of Spring’ sequence which reflects an important part of Chinese culture and the belief that extreme cold brings about new life.

The audience then saw the phrase ‘One World, One Family’, before a countdown from 24, to represent the 24 solar terms of the Chinese Year. Performers inside the National Stadium then displayed neon lights that turned green and unfurled to represent the new life, before a short firework display spelt out the word ‘Spring’ in English and Chinese above the stadium.

The Ice Olympic Rings were revealed from a three-dimensional cube that resembled a block of ice, that had seen lasers carved out imagery from the previous 23 Olympic Winter Games.

The display of the Olympic Rings was followed by the parade of 91 NOCs participating in the Games.

Addressing the athletes during the Opening Ceremony, IOC President Thomas Bach said:

“You the Olympic athletes – you will show how the world would look like, if we all respect the same rules and each other. Over the next two weeks you will compete with each other for the highest prize. At the same time, you will live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village.

“There – there will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever. In our fragile world, where division, conflict and mistrust are on the rise, we show the world: yes, it is possible to be fierce rivals, while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together.  This is the mission of the Olympic Games: bringing us together in peaceful competition. Always building bridges, never erecting walls. Uniting humankind in all our diversity.”

Read the full speech here.

Photo copyright: William Lucas – @ANOC Olympic
@willlucass / @inovafoto