Today, the excitement in China’s capital city is palpable and visible. Chinese flags, Olympic banners and the five Fuwa mascots of the Beijing Games can be seen everywhere. New trees, fresh flowers and plants add bright dots of colour to the freshly paved roads, evoking a feeling of the grand historical festivals that have been a part of China’s culture for thousands of years.

Around the city’s famous landmarks, from the Summer Palace to the Forbidden City, foreign and Chinese tourists alike are celebrating the meeting of centuries-old sites with the new enthusiasm that the Games have brought to the city. In Tiananmen Square, thousands of people have gathered to take pictures with the Olympic displays in the centre. Such displays, sculptures and other Olympic works of art can be found throughout the city, from tourist attractions to malls and parks.

And from dawn until dusk, you can find crowds of people milling about the city in all of its open spaces, together soaking up the excitement that can almost be felt in the air. Visitors can take their pick of the traditional — bustling night markets offering culinary delights — or the modern — Beijing offers a lively nightlife scene. The Olympic spirit is bringing together citizens from all parts of the world in the second largest city in the most populous nation on earth to celebrate friendship, excellence and respect.

 

What does all of this mean? While no one can definitively say, perhaps President Rogge put it best, “I believe the spotlight on China will help the world to understand China, and it will also help China to understand the world.” Let the Games begin!

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is pleased to announce the list of the flagbearers for the 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.  

Flagbearers are listed here in order of entry into the stadium (PDF)

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Emmanuelle Moreau -  Media Relations Manager -        + 86 158 1155 1830

Sandrine Tonge -         Media Relations Coordinator -    + 86 135  5217  5720

E-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org

IOC President Jacques Rogge gave the following speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, this evening, in the National Stadium in Beijing:

Mr President of the People’s Republic of China,

Mr Liu Qi,

Members of the Organising Committee,

Dear Chinese Friends,

Dear Athletes,

For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world’s athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

Tonight that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing!

You have chosen as the theme of these Games One World, One Dream. That is what we are tonight.

As one world, we grieved with you over the tragic earthquake in Sichuan Province. We were moved by the great courage and solidarity of the Chinese people.

As one dream, may these Olympic Games bring you joy, hope and pride.

Athletes, the Games were created for you by our founder, Pierre de Coubertin. These Games belong to you. Let them be the athletes’ Games.

Remember that they are about much more than performance alone.

They are about the peaceful gathering of 204 National Olympic Committees—regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religions or political system.

Please compete in the spirit of Olympic values: excellence, friendship and respect.

Dear athletes, remember that you are role models for the Youth of the World. Reject doping and cheating.

Make us proud of your achievements and your conduct.

As we bring the Olympic dream to life, our warm thanks go to the Beijing Organising Committee for their tireless work. Our special thanks also go to the thousands of gracious volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible.

Beijing, you are a host to the present and a gateway to the future. Thank you!

I now have the honour of asking the President of the People’s Republic of China to open the Games of the XXIX Olympiad of the modern era.

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Emmanuelle Moreau - Media Relations Manager -        +86 135  5217  6165

Sandrine Tonge - Media Relations Coordinator -    +86 135  5217  5720

E-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org

“That was spectacular.  Tonight, the world was able to join in a magnificent tribute to the athletes and the Olympic spirit.  It was an unforgettable and moving ceremony that celebrated the imagination, originality and energy of the Beijing Games.”

“We saw 204 national delegations march into the beautiful new National Stadium in the age-old tradition of the Games. Millions of people around the world were able to experience the thrill of seeing their heroes in a sea of team colours and national flags.”

“We witnessed athletes from these 204 countries and territories united in peace in one place. And for the next 16 days, they will be a part of one of the most thrilling competitions in history. As an Olympian, I can tell you that they will carry this memory with them forever. ”

 

“This iconic stadium is one of the world’s new wonders.  It was a fitting setting for an amazing Opening Ceremony, I look forward to an equally exciting and unforgettable 16 days.”

“Opening ceremonies have always been a way for host cities to welcome the world and for the world to gather and share the Olympic spirit. This ceremony to open the Beijing Olympic Games was a breathtaking culmination of seven years of planning and preparation. The world will remember this for a long time.”

“Tonight wasn’t the end of a journey, but the fantastic beginning of 16 days of outstanding sport competition. This was a night to remember — for the Chinese people, and for the world.”

“As I watched the rehearsals for this ceremony, I knew this night would be absolutely astonishing.  However, the actual event exceeded all my expectations.  This was an unprecedented and grand success.”

On the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, IOC President Jacques Rogge is to meet with some of the worldВ’s major leaders, who are visiting Beijing for the opening ceremony.

Among the leaders Rogge will be meeting are Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Brazillian President Luiz Lula da Silva.

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More world leaders В– more than 100 sovereigns, heads of state and heads of government - will be attending the Beijing Olympic Games, as well as 170 Ministers of Sport.

As well as discussing the Beijing Games, Rogge will be using the meetings as an opportunity to raise issues of concern to the Olympic movement В– the fight against doping, and the role of sport in education and in improving public health.

SportВ’s role in improving health outcomes

В“It is essential that we promote the central role of sport in modern society,В” said Rogge today. В“Everyday sport can deliver substantial social, environmental and economic benefits by reducing obesity and cardiac disease and creating a healthy society. The IOC wants governments to support elite sport and the Olympic movement В– thatВ’s essential В– but we also want them to invest in public sports facilities.В”

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Just as vital is that the IOC and governments collaborate in the fight against doping by providing consistent funding for WADA, enabling co-operation between law enforcement and doping authorities; and application of the World Anti-Doping Code. This may require legislative change.

В“Doping, and particularly steroid abuse, is a public health issue В– it is not simply a matter for elite sport В– it reaches down into amateur sports clubs, universities and high schools and causes physical and psychological damage to the user. This trickle-down effect is what should worry everyone. Moreover, steroid use and crime are inextricably linked В– many acts of violent crime in society are thought to be connected to steroid use.В”

President Rogge will continue to promote these issues, through both the IOC and collaboration with other Olympic organisations, in his regular schedule of visits and consultations with world leaders regarding their national sport agenda. В

There will be no opportunity for media to cover these meetings, but photographs and press releases will be distributed at a later date.

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For media enquiries, please contactВ

IOC contacts in Beijing:

Emmanuelle Moreau -В Media Relations Manager + 86 158 1155 1830

Sandrine Tonge -Media Relations Coordinator В В В В В В В В В В В В В В +86В 135В 5217В 5720В В В В В В В В В В В В

email: pressoffice@olympic.org;