01of 26FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty ImagesTheOpening Ceremonypre-show kicked off with an aerial view of the National Stadium, known as the “Bird’s Nest,” in host city Beijing.This is the first year the Winter Olympics are taking place in China, and Beijing will make history as the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
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FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images
TheOpening Ceremonypre-show kicked off with an aerial view of the National Stadium, known as the “Bird’s Nest,” in host city Beijing.
This is the first year the Winter Olympics are taking place in China, and Beijing will make history as the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
02of 26Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty ImagesDancers performed withOlympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen. The adorable panda is the national animal of China and in Mandarin, his name means “ice” (Bing) and “robust and lively” (Dwen).
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Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images
Dancers performed withOlympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen. The adorable panda is the national animal of China and in Mandarin, his name means “ice” (Bing) and “robust and lively” (Dwen).
03of 26JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty ImagesThe stadium filled with excitement as dancers and Bing Dwen Dwen put on a show ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
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JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images
The stadium filled with excitement as dancers and Bing Dwen Dwen put on a show ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
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Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
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Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
06of 26ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP via Getty ImagesThe performance was equally as impressive and stunning from above.
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ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP via Getty Images
The performance was equally as impressive and stunning from above.
07of 26David Ramos/Getty ImagesA gorgeous display of fireworks lit up the sky as LED flowers bloomed from below.
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David Ramos/Getty Images
A gorgeous display of fireworks lit up the sky as LED flowers bloomed from below.
08of 26Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesThe spectacular light show could be seen from above the Bird’s Nest and all throughout the city.
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Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty Images
The spectacular light show could be seen from above the Bird’s Nest and all throughout the city.
09of 26Elsa/Getty ImagesChildren carried the National Flag of the People’s Republic of China into the stadium, passing it to people representing China’s 56 ethnic groups before handing it to members of the armed forces.
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Elsa/Getty Images
Children carried the National Flag of the People’s Republic of China into the stadium, passing it to people representing China’s 56 ethnic groups before handing it to members of the armed forces.
10of 26Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesThe athletes looked from the stands as the flag was raised.
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Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The athletes looked from the stands as the flag was raised.
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13of 26Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesThe ice disintegrated and revealed the five Olympic Rings to kick off theParade of Nations. The parade has been featured since 1908, and gives athletes an opportunity to walk with fellow competitors under their nation’s flag.
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Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
The ice disintegrated and revealed the five Olympic Rings to kick off theParade of Nations. The parade has been featured since 1908, and gives athletes an opportunity to walk with fellow competitors under their nation’s flag.
14of 26David Ramos/Getty ImagesTeam Jamaica entered the stadium with flag bearers Benjamin Alexander and Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian leading the way.
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Team Jamaica entered the stadium with flag bearers Benjamin Alexander and Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian leading the way.
15of 26Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesThree-time Olympic speed skater Brittany Bowe and five-time Olympic curler John Shuster led Team USA.Bowe was selected toreplace elected flag bearerElana Meyers Taylor, a 37-year-old bobsledder who has won medals in the past three Winter Olympics, after Taylor tested positive for COVID-19 upon her arrival in China. Shuster made history as the first curler to carry the U.S. flag during the Opening Ceremony, according toUSA Curling.
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Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Three-time Olympic speed skater Brittany Bowe and five-time Olympic curler John Shuster led Team USA.
Bowe was selected toreplace elected flag bearerElana Meyers Taylor, a 37-year-old bobsledder who has won medals in the past three Winter Olympics, after Taylor tested positive for COVID-19 upon her arrival in China. Shuster made history as the first curler to carry the U.S. flag during the Opening Ceremony, according toUSA Curling.
16of 26Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesDuring the Opening Ceremony, Shuster and Bowe spoke with NBC News aboutgetting to lead Team USAand what the honor meant to them. “Leading this amazing group of athletes, this is so cool,” said Shuster.Added Bowe: “This is an absolute honor of a lifetime. I can’t think of a more powerful and uniting moment as an athlete and as an American. And it’s an absolute honor to lead Team USA into the Opening Ceremony.”
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During the Opening Ceremony, Shuster and Bowe spoke with NBC News aboutgetting to lead Team USAand what the honor meant to them. “Leading this amazing group of athletes, this is so cool,” said Shuster.
Added Bowe: “This is an absolute honor of a lifetime. I can’t think of a more powerful and uniting moment as an athlete and as an American. And it’s an absolute honor to lead Team USA into the Opening Ceremony.”
17of 26David Ramos/Getty ImagesTeam USA stopped to pose for a photo as the parade continued.
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Team USA stopped to pose for a photo as the parade continued.
18of 26David Ramos/Getty ImagesMembers of Team USA snapped photos and videos on their phones as they walked through the stadium.
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Members of Team USA snapped photos and videos on their phones as they walked through the stadium.
19of 26Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesTeam Belarus had the crowd cheering as flag bearers Ignat Golovatsiuk and Hanna Nifantava led in front.
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Team Belarus had the crowd cheering as flag bearers Ignat Golovatsiuk and Hanna Nifantava led in front.
20of 26David Ramos/Getty ImagesEve Muirhead and Dave Ryding guided Team Great Britain into the parade.
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Eve Muirhead and Dave Ryding guided Team Great Britain into the parade.
21of 26JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty ImagesEast Timor’s flag bearer Yohan Goncalves Goutt took front and center as three other athletes followed close behind.
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East Timor’s flag bearer Yohan Goncalves Goutt took front and center as three other athletes followed close behind.
22of 26Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty ImagesTeam Canada arrived in big numbers as flag bearers Marie-Philip Poulin and Charles Hamelin raised their hands and flag to greet the crowd.
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Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Team Canada arrived in big numbers as flag bearers Marie-Philip Poulin and Charles Hamelin raised their hands and flag to greet the crowd.
23of 26Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesThe lively audience — 40 percent of the stadium’s capacity due to COVID-19 concerns — was up on their feet, cheering for the athletes and waiving flags of their home countries.
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The lively audience — 40 percent of the stadium’s capacity due to COVID-19 concerns — was up on their feet, cheering for the athletes and waiving flags of their home countries.
24of 26Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesPerformers created a breathtaking scene inside the stadium as all eyes focused on the awe-inspiring Olympic Rings.
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Performers created a breathtaking scene inside the stadium as all eyes focused on the awe-inspiring Olympic Rings.
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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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Wearing traditional American Samoa garments, bobsleigh and skeleton starNathan Crumptoncarried the territory’s flag around the stadium.
source: people.com
