Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony

I know, I am behind on this post. Bear with me while I document this historical event, the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Beijing Olympics.

Last Friday, 8 August 2008, (080808) almost everyone in my office left early to catch the 8:00pm Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Olympiad held in Beijing, China.

Once in a while we get to witness something spectacular and this Opening Ceremony must have topped the rest so far. It was an awesome show of tradition and technology combined.

Every bit of the Opening Ceremony was mesmerising, from the fireworks to the human great wall to the dancers to the drummers and their luminous drumsticks, Li Ning running to light the torch, the whole enchilada! Did anyone hear it being mentioned that the aerial shots of the footsteps and fireworks leading to the stadium were computer generated? Well, they were, but who cares! They add to the spectacular experience, didn't they?

The Games will be from August 8 to 24.

Most if not all of you would have watched the show so I won't bore you with my account but instead point you to a more interesting article from NBC.


Posted Friday, August 8, 2008 9:38 AM ET
BEIJING - On the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighth year of the millennium, China welcomed the world to the 29th Olympiad with a blockbuster opening ceremony that launched arguably the most anticipated and assuredly the most controversial Games in modern Olympic history.

Amid the roar of fireworks and elaborate tributes to China's 5,000-year-old civilization, athletes from 204 nations - of 205 - marched into Olympic Stadium, the steel-girded Birds' Nest, before dignitaries that included President Bush, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao. Only Brunei proved a no-show, failing Friday to register even one athlete.


Continue reading Games open on a Beijing high

Since I am documenting this sports milestone, I will have to include some memorable pictures. These photographs are from the NBC gallery of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

The Olympic rings


Drummers


Another view of the drummers and the luminous drumsticks.


Fireworks over the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest


View of the fireworks from inside the National Stadium


Dancers


The Chinese flag is paraded into the National Stadium, carried by children in traditional costumes of the tribes in China.


Fireworks light up the sky over the National Aquatics Center (L) - nicknamed the Cube, and the National Stadium - Bird's Nest


A welcome message display on the stadium roof while the drummers were performing


The torch is lit during the end of the Opening Ceremony


A family watches the fireworks in Tiananmen Square


People watch the broadcast of the Opening Ceremony


Source: NBC

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:06 PM

    Amazing photos! Esp the drummers with the luminous drumsticks :)

    I watched swimming yesterday morn while waiting for my car to be serviced...amazing swimmers out there esp the 18 year old Korean who won the first oylmpic gold in swimming, a first for that nation.

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  2. MBL, you are quick! I'm rooting for Michael Phelps to beat Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals.

    India also has a first-ever gold medal. Good job! Has Malaysia got any gold yet?

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  3. Anonymous3:37 PM

    Happysurfer...not yet I think. Perhaps the badminton guys might deliver the gold :)

    Can't wait to get home to catch some action on the games.

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  4. The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony is simply amazing, awesome, astounding, magnificent, unparalled in beauty.

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  5. MBL, at least there is a chance for Malaysia? That's good.

    MB, I second that.

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  6. truly a remarkable opening! the best games yet! :)

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  7. A merger of hi-tech and an ancient culture. Remarkable!

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