Olympic : China Stuns With Dazzling Opener For 29th Olympiad

BEIJING, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Dazzling fireworks soared above the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium and the rest of Beijing stretching to the Great Wall on its northwest as China stunned with a spectacular show under sweltering heat to raise the curtains on the 29th Olympic Games.

In the most tightly guarded secret of the ceremony, China's former gymnastics all-great Li Ning, a triple gold medallist in the 1984 Olympics, was hoisted up to the roof of the stadium and tipped the Games torch to a wire linked to the roof-high cauldron to light up the flames that will burn throughout the Games until Aug 24.

But not before he "ran" a lap around the canopy, the crowd below watched in awe at the former athlete who was voted the best athletes of the 20th century.

If at all, the well-choreographed show underscored determination of the host in gearing themselves up for the next stage, the battle for as many pieces of the 302 gold at stake and threaten the long-held top spot by the United States.

In Athens, China overtook Russia, scooping 32 gold just four short behind the U.S.

A burst of firecrackers raced around the rim of the canopy of the steel lattice-wrapped stadium to set off the start of the nearly hour-long extravaganzas that started at 8pm, reflecting the Chinese reverence of eight as an auspicious numeral.

Acrobats defied gravity with the aid of high wires dressed as divine fairies to gently coax the five rings of the Olympic movement into the heavens in hailing the presence of the Olympics returning to Asia after two decades for the third time in history.

In an impressive fusion of high-tech effect and history, a giant scroll was unfurled in a centrepiece canvas to showcase China's inventions for mankind including paper and printing blocks, and the stage for china's renowned pianist Lang Lang to woo the crowds.

Spectators were treated to the familiar touches of ancient Chinese warriors witnessed in blockbuster films made by award-winning director Zhang Yimou, the artistic maestro of the opening ceremony, who directed his biggest cast ever of 14,000, surpassing the 12,000 athletes vying for the 302 gold medals at stake.

China's army provided two-thirds of the performers who also staged a mass "tai chi" display and pounded 2,008 ancient Chinese drums to pump up the mood of audiences.

"I have never led such a huge team... you may not be able to see their faces clearly in this grand stadium but I know how hard they have worked for tonight," Zhang said.

British opera diva Sarah Brightman paired vocals with local singer, Liu Huan, to belt out the Games theme song entitled "You and Me" on top of a globe that rose from the floor of the stadium.

The athletes parade by the 204 participating countries was led by previous hosts, Greece, with China bringing up the tail with towering NBA star Yao Ming carrying the home flag accompanied by a child victim of the devastating earthquake that killed 69,000 in southwestern Sichuan province in May and triggered an outpouring of relief from around the world.

President Hu Jintao and top communist leaders stood up to wave at the homesters against thunderous applause and a sea of waving red flags from the stands with incessant chants of "Jiayou" , the battle cry of "Go China, Go".

An excited national cycling sprint king Azizul Hasni Awang led the Malaysian contingent around the track, with the men dressed in yellow and black 'baju Melayu' and women in 'baju kurung'.

Watching from the stands was Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin who was seated among an array of world leaders including U.S. President George W Bush and also International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and his predecessor Juan Antonio Samaranch who presided over the awarding of the Games to China seven years ago.

The VIP box was aflutter with waving yellow fans as guests sought some respite from the stuffy air. Many athletes stripped off their blazers, their shirts soaked with sweat.

Loud cheers also greeted the Iraqi team which were reinstated at the last minute into the Games. Louder still were the reception for the United States and Hong Kong, the former British colony reverted to China's rule as a special administration region.

Woman table tennis star Zhang Yining took the oath on behalf of the athletes.

President Hu who described the Games as a historic moment for China and a century-old dream of the world's most populous nation officially declared the Games open to yet another burst of fireworks that constantly lit the night.

The IOC chief in his customary speech congratulated Beijing and urged athletes to reject doping and cheating which had plagued the Olympics, and be role models for the youths of the world.

"Athletes, the Games were created for you by our founder Pierre de Coubertin, These Games belong to you. These Games belong to you. Let them be the athletes' games, have fun," he added.

-- BERNAMA