Chinese President Xi Jinping officially opened the Winter Games at the National Stadium, or the so-called "Bird's Nest" stadium, in the Chinese capital, Beijing, and the celebration witnessed stunning visual effects.
Xi, who wore a face mask along with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and all the attendees, opened the Games, which will run until February 20, and will see the participation of 2,900 athletes from 91 countries who will compete for 109 gold medals.
The celebration was attended by representatives of 91 countries from all over the world, as well as world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Approximately 3,000 exhibitors attended the ceremony, a significant decrease from the 15,000 who performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the ceremony lasted for about 100 minutes, much shorter than the 4 hours in 2008.
The shortening of time comes due to the cold weather and the Corona pandemic.
Beijing became the first city to organize the Summer and Winter Games, and the tournament is being held amid strict measures to curb the spread of the Corona virus, and amid political tensions.
"In the spirit of Olympic peace I appeal to all political authorities around the world" to "give peace a chance" by observing the Olympic Truce, Bach said in his speech.
"In our fragile world - in which conflicts, divisions and mistrust increase - we are showing the world: Yes, it is possible to be competitive while at the same time living in peace and respect together," he added.
🌃🌐Tonight the world will celebrate together under the Olympic rings.
⬆️Let's go faster, aim higher↗️ and grow stronger💪 by standing together at Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
#Beijing2022 #Olympics #OpeningCeremony#TogetherForASharedFuture
📸 GettyImages pic.twitter.com/3o5ioueqD8
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) February 4, 2022
Children with the theme song of the opening ceremony: Snowflakes.
Purity, peace and solidarity.
pic.twitter.com/FDkKsZ0wET
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) February 4, 2022
✨🎇Skies over the National Stadium are illuminated by spectacular fireworks, which mark the start of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.🥰🎊#Beijing2022 #Olympics#TogetherForASharedFuture#OpeningCeremony #fireworks
📸: GettyImages pic.twitter.com/9JTY8q13mv
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) February 4, 2022
Every rise, every fall, every victory - we're in it together.
#StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremonypic.twitter.com/TrRNLfPbiJ
— Olympics (@Olympics) February 4, 2022