PICTURES | Olympic Games open in Beijing

China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping gave the official opening words in the National Stadium on Friday evening (local time), giving the starting signal for the largest winter sports event in the world. Italy's Olympic delegation was led by Michela Moioli (snowboard cross), who carried the flag.

Around 2.900 athletes from 91 nations will fight for gold, silver and bronze in 20 decisions until February 109th. Due to China's strict Corona policy, all participants - athletes, supervisors, officials, journalists - are only allowed to stay in a shielded “Olympic bubble”.

Beijing is the first city ever to host both the Summer and Winter Games. The athletes moved into the “Bird’s Nest” during the opening ceremony, which lasted just over two hours. They saw a light spectacle including fireworks, at the end of which the Olympic flame was lit. Greece – where the Olympic Games originate – traditionally led the long march of nations. The host Chinese came into the mix last. Political boycott of the USA – Putin is there The opening was overshadowed by a political boycott from the United States and other countries that did not send government officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary General António Guterres, however, attended the official opening of the Beijing Games.

Because of the corona pandemic and the cold weather, the ceremony with 3.000 performers was smaller than the spectacular opening of the 2008 Summer Games in China's capital, when 15.000 people took part. As with the 2008 Summer Games, the celebration was arranged by star Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

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PICTURES | Olympic Games open in Beijing

The XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing have opened. Here we provide you with the best pictures.

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