The opening ceremony in pictures

BEIJING, China – Let the Games begin! The Olympic flame was officially lit inside the National Stadium in Beijing.

On a frosty evening in the Chinese capital, the opening ceremony concluded on Friday when the flame was placed inside a giant snowflake to kick off the first Olympic Games in China. china winter – followed by a third big fireworks display.

Minutes earlier, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach spoke, thanking those around the world who went “beyond the call of duty” to make events happen as a global pandemic continues to rage.

These Olympic Games are the second to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic, after those in Tokyo last summer.

Bach explained that the Olympics showcase “ambition, courage and strength.” He compared these qualities to what China has done to develop Olympic winter sports among its citizens.

Bach also spoke directly to the athletes saying, “Dear fellow Olympians, your stage is ready. You have arrived here after overcoming so many challenges. (…) But now your moment has come, the moment you’ve been waiting for, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Now your Olympic dream is coming true. »

Bach’s remarks preceded the official opening of the Games by Chinese President Xi Jinping, with his words sparking off fireworks that lit up the sky above the Bird’s Nest.

Festive atmosphere

These Games, which take place in a “closed bubble”, offer China the opportunity to proudly project its power to the world as some Western governments have chosen to exercise a diplomatic boycott to protest against China’s treatment of millions of its own citizens.

Beijing has become the first city to host both the Winter and Summer Games. And while some world leaders decided to sit on the sidelines, many others attended the opening ceremony. Most notable: Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met with Xi privately earlier today as a dangerous standoff looms on the Russia-Ukraine border.

Friday’s opening ceremony was held at the same stadium – known as the Bird’s Nest – that hosted the 2008 version.

For the occasion, no detail had been neglected. Each nation entered the stadium preceded by a volunteer carrying a glowing snowflake sign displaying that country’s name. The placard bearers were dressed in suits with an ice and snow pattern, and hats with a tiger pattern – appropriate for this year of the tiger according to the Chinese calendar.

Overall, the ceremony, signed by Zhang Yimou, had a more celebratory atmosphere than the rather somber Tokyo Games last summer. A few thousand handpicked spectators were present in the stands.

Chills of pride

Women’s hockey team captain Marie-Philip Poulin and short track speed skater Charles Hamelin, visibly proud, entered at the head of the Canadian delegation of approximately 90 members, waving the maple leaf together.

“As soon as we received the flag, everyone started shouting, said Hamelin shortly before entering the stadium, at the microphone of Radio Canada. It was an incredible feeling!

“I have shivers all over my body, and not because I’m cold, because I’m really excited! added Hamelin, who is in her fifth Olympic Games.

“It’s an emotion that is really hard to describe,” added Poulin. You have your team behind you, you have the Canadian team, you represent Canada, it’s incredible. »

Canada was the 27th of 91 countries to enter the stadium.

Canada did not send officials to the Games as part of a diplomatic boycott justified by China’s record of human rights abuses. Canadian Olympic Committee President Tricia Smith greeted the athletes from the stands.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, however, wanted to mark the occasion.

“This event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the determination, hard work and sportsmanship of athletes from Canada and around the world,” Trudeau said in a statement.

“Over the next two weeks, the 215 athletes of Team Canada will boldly and courageously compete in 15 sporting events to make their mark on Olympic history. (…) On behalf of all Canadians, I wish good luck to our athletes. We are all going to cheer on our Team Canada and I know you are going to make us proud! »

Canada won 29 medals at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, an Olympic Winter Games high.